Hamlet Character Analysis

Hamlet by William Shakespeare focuses on the title character plotting vengeance against Claudius for his father's murder to capture the Danish crown. The new king is also Hamlet's uncle and now stepdad due to the marriage with his mother, Gertrude. Through a sequence of events, the protagonist eventually avenges his father, although both his mother and himself fall to a tragic fate as well. Throughout the course of the play, the relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude changes from strained to a disrespectful and mistrustful to a bittersweet ending.

The final way that Laertes acts as a foil to Hamlet occurs once again when Claudius and Laertes are discussing Laertes’ actions to achieve his vengeance. Claudius gives Laertes advice saying, “That we would do/ we should do when we would; for this ‘would’/ changes” (4.7.134-136). Claudius is warning Laertes that if he waits long enough, he will probably end up not doing anything at all and will not achieve his goal of vengeance. This quote spoken by Claudius is quite similar to when King Hamlet’s ghost meets with Hamlet earlier in the play to warn him about how he was killed by Claudius and that he must get revenge. King Hamlet’s ghost also warns Hamlet saying, “Taint not thy mind” (1.5.92), telling him to not over think his plan because otherwise he will not pursue his vengeance. After Claudius warns Laertes to not get side tracked, the audience is reminded of King Hamlet’s ghost telling Hamlet to not over think because then their plans will not be pursued. This scene acts as a foil towards Hamlet because soon after the conversation, Laertes does pursue his plan of seeking vengeance, whereas Hamlet has been working on his plan the whole play, and has still not started to execute it.

Hamlet proves himself a temperamental, twisted character in William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet. The Prince of Denmark conveys his facetious demeanor with his behavior and sharp tongue, especially in scenes with Ophelia and Gertrude. Although Hamlet’s situation is difficult and easily sympathized by viewers, his aggression should ultimately be focused on his murderous uncle.

Similarly, Hamlet’s emotions cloud his perception of Gertrude. Although Hamlet knows that Claudius took the “life, crown, [and] queen” from old Hamlet, Hamlet blames Gertrude for giving his opportunity to reign Denmark to Claudius. However, perhaps Gertrude strategically marries Claudius to give Denmark stability. After losing old Hamlet and becoming vulnerable while at war with Norway, Gertrude’s union with Claudius distracts the people of Denmark from disheartening issues within the country. Instead of punishing Hamlet, perhaps Gertrude fulfills her duty as queen by putting the needs of Denmark before the wants of her son.

Act I, Scene II introduces Prince Hamlet, his mother Queen Gertrude, and his uncle Claudius. Due to the recent death of King Hamlet there have been two notable changes in the kingdom. First, Claudius is the new King of Denmark. Act I, Scene II begins with King Claudius expressing appreciation for the support he is receiving from his court and subjects. The second change is that Claudius has married Queen Gertrude. Claudius presents the immediate marriage as a method of overcoming the grief that the community has felt since the death of their King. With the Norwegian troops advancing and the country on the verge of war, Claudius claims that the grief for King Hamlet’s death would be interpreted by the enemy as weakness. Claudius claims he has married Queen Gertrude to overcome the grief of the kingdom and elicit his subject’s joy (Hamlet, 1.2.10-23).

“Mad as the sea and wind when both contend. Which is the mightier. In his lawless fit, Behind the arras hearing something stir, whips out his rapier, cries “A rat, a rat,” And in this brainiac apprehension kills The unseen good old man.”

Violence and evil played a huge role in Hamlet, which begins with his mother, Gertrude. At first glance, the Queen seems to be just another innocent bystander who expresses her grief at the loss of the King, but as the play develops, and Hamlet is filled in on the details of the Queen’s treachery, the depiction of Gertrude changes dramatically. Though Gertrude does not come out directly and kill the King of Denmark, her role in the death of the King of Denmark drives a huge wedge right between her pure innocence and her unequivocal betrayal. Hamlet believes at first that Claudius is the sole assassinator of his Father. Later, through the Ghost of the King of Denmark, Hamlet comes to understand the role of his own Mother in the treachery. In other words, her infidelity of marriage to the King is a direct consequence of her having fallen in love with Claudius, the King’s brother. Another aspect of Gertrude is that there is some doubt that when she begs of Hamlet in the Third Act to remember her as his Mother, whether she is acting the role of Mother or as an aid to Claudius. (Stone, 71) Recent studies question whether or not Gertrude is supposed to be understood as a Queen Mother or taking on the role of an androgynous character, which is neither male nor female. (Stone) Despite the vast amount of evidence stating that Gertrude was a co-conspirator to the death of the King, some modern scholars choose to paint a compassionate picture of Gertrude. (Smith, 194) They choose to

When one reads William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, it is easy to overlook the female characters as powerless and subservient. However, things are not always what they seem at first glance, as a further analysis of Gertrude and Ophelia suggests. Although the plot centers around Hamlet’s quest for revenge, these two female characters have a profound influence on what transpires. These women certainly play more significant roles than they seem at first.

In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Queen Gertrude’s sporadic appearances and ambiguous intentions present her as a mysterious character. She recovers quickly from the death of her late husband and marries her brother-in-law. Because of this, she is often looked upon as a traitor and an unfaithful wife and mother. Regardless of all the unpleasant accusations, Queen Gertrude is innocent and analytical. The remarks from her late husband's ghost, her purposeful manner of being easily swayed by male characters, and the boundless care she poses for country of Denmark, reveal her innocence. Her diplomatic and sincere personality establish her as a silent ruler with unanticipated plans. Queen Gertrude’s superficial accusations do not speak for her innocent and analytical attitude.

In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlet went through a series of events causing him to be what he is in the play. The character traits are significant to help readers understand who the character is and what that person serves throughout the book. Throughout the play, Hamlet is the protagonist who is trying to get the job done. Readers believe that the qualities of a King are shown in the protagonist of Hamlet. Furthermore, the qualities that Hamlet possesses shows loyalty to all the characters, he is ambitious towards his goals, and he is intelligent.

For many of us, our parents are our role models and the people we look up to. They take care of us and know what is best for us. For that reason, we should obey them and listen to their advice. We all have heard that before, but what if that is not true? What if our parent's decisions are not for the best of us? That is what Shakespeare proposes in the play Hamlet. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, parents' flaws lead to the destruction of their loyal children. Ophelia, Laertes, and Hamlet's lives are hijacked by their filial piety.

In the play Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, the audience is introduced to a very complicated character. This character is Prince Hamlet of Denmark, son of Queen Gertrude and King Hamlet. Everytime Hamlet comes into a scene, it is like a whole different character is introduced to the play. Hamlet was a university student who came home after his father’s death. When arriving home, he comes to a realization that his mother married her brother-in-law, Claudius, and he has become the new king. Hamlet is a mystery that no reader, critic, and possibly even Shakespeare can find the truth about. No matter how many ways a reader looks at him, there is no real truth about him. Hamlet is like a puzzle, more like an enigma in multiple ways. In the story, Hamlet even tells Guildenstern that there is more of him that he does not even know. “You would pluck out the heart of my mystery” (3.2.351-52). Hamlet is a mysterious character, who is questioned by the reader. Hamlet’s actions that are questioned by the reader are his depression, madness, and love for Ophelia. Hamlet’s actions are supposed to be an act, but at the same time, they are questioned to be real instead of just an act.

The play of Hamlet composed by Shakespeare displays a significance like no other play. The title character of this play, Hamlet, suffers the loss of his father by murder and is told by his father’s ghost to avenge his death. Perhaps Hamlet is just crazy, but then again, in Act 5 he acts like he is crazy; is he hiding behind the action of being crazy to be able to watch his father’s murderer, Uncle Claudius or has he completely lost his grip on reality and gone mad?

The play Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by Shakespeare provides an account of a political crisis that has enveloped the kingdom of Denmark. King Claudius murdered his brother out of jealousy. The king had a beautiful wife, and was prosperous. This was envied by his brother. Hamlet, the son of the slain king, was a nice prince as the play begins. He is in love with Ophelia, and befriends many of the workers in the palace, until his father’s ghost appears to him. Thus, exposing to him the truth, requiring him to avenge the death of his father; “So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear…” (I.IV.9 Shakespeare). It is evident that evil resided in the heart of Hamlet. When the ghost hinted at exposing to him who really killed his father, he replies, “Haste me to know, that I, with wings as swift, as meditation or the thoughts of love, may sweep to my revenge…” (I.IV.28-30 Shakespeare).

Hamlet does not trust his mother, Gertrude. Hamlet did not believe that his mother did not know about Claudius’s death. She also remarried soon after his father was murdered by Claudius. ”Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears had left the flushing in her