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Examples Of Uncertainty In Hamlet

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Hamlet is a play by the renowned writer William Shakespeare. Written in the early seventeenth century, the revenge-tragedy is set in Denmark, and follows the character of Prince Hamlet as he seeks to avenge his father’s murder by his cunning uncle, Claudius (who now holds the throne). While doing so, the troubled prince experiences a philosophical struggle with life, death, and morality. Through the use of imagery and soliloquy, Shakespeare expertly develops the theme of Uncertainty. One of the initial examples of the theme of Uncertainty is clearly portrayed in Hamlet’s interaction with his father’s ghost, as well as Horatio’s and Marcellus’ reactions. As the prince converses with Horatio about the foolish appearance of Denmark, the Ghost …show more content…

In what is probably the most famous line in all the play, Hamlet begins his speech by asking whether it is better to “be or not to be”- is it better to live or to die? As he continues, the grieving and troubled prince questions if life is worth the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortunes”, or if it is nobler to end ones “sea of troubles” by simply committing suicide. While Hamlet flirts with the benefits of death, he is also forced to face the implications of ending one’s life in search of relief. He describes death as an “undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns”, and remarks that we inquire about it, but death only “puzzles the will”- clearly illustrating the uncomfortable uncertainty that surrounds the phenomena. Prince Hamlet concludes that if it weren’t for this ambiguity and fear of the unknown, no one would actively choose to “grunt and sweat under a weary life”. In utilizing Soliloquy, Shakespeare dives deeply into the disturbed prince’s grief-stricken mind, and effectively demonstrates Hamlet’s uncertainties towards the subject of life and death, as well as what occurs after the

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