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Examples Of Existentialism In Hamlet

Decent Essays

Bishop 1
Kirslyn Bishop
Mrs. Donlon
English, block D
1, November 2015

Hamlet's Existentialism

What is the meaning of life? How can one person endure such great embarrassment and pain in one life? In the beginning of the play, Hamlet is seen as a man of intelligence and logic. He is one that does not act on his emotions but contemplates them and thinks of the consequences. On the other hand, Laertes is seen as a man that does not think about his actions before he goes through with them. Both characters display impulsive reactions when angered. Hamlet shows verbal reactions as Laertes shows physical reactions. In the beginning of the play, Laertes discovers that his father has been murdered he immediately assumes Claudius did it. With this assumption in mind, Laertes's speculation instinctively moves to avenge Polonius's death. "To hell, allegiance! vows, to the blackest …show more content…

We learn that Hamlet is strongly in love with Ophelia, but she rejects his natural liking of her. Hamlet never stopped loving Ophelia. His extensive love for her caused Hamlet much grief and pain once she was killed. ophelia died knowing that Hamlet loved her but his affection for her was still rejected. Hamlet's appearance in the play has decreased because of the rejection of his love for Ophelia "Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other" (Act 2, Scene 1, line 82). The loss of Ophelia and her love for Hamlet, causes Polonius to believe that he was pretending to be crazy the entire time in order to get revenge. He assumes that he is being spied on by Claudius when having a conversation with Gertrude "Nay, I know not: is it the King?" (Act 3, Scene 4 line 28). Hamlet couldn't take anymore disappointment in his life so he acts out of anger and instead of killing Claudius, he kills Polonius instead. He knows that he has to hide what he has done so he wont get into

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