preview

Obstacles In Shakespeare's Hamlet

Decent Essays

Throughout life, obstacles are made present and are to be challenged and dealt with accordingly. Individuals have unique personalities and deal with their challenges differently. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the main protagonist encounters multiple conflicts throughout the play that deal with both internally and externally. Conflicts that Hamlet must deal with includes the ghost of his father, contemplation of murder and incest. With trying to cope and deal with these conflicts and his personal issues causes external and internal conflicts.

In the play, Hamlet, the main protagonist deals with many conflicts. Hamlet’s external conflicts are visible while his internal conflicts are much more subtle throughout the play. Both conflicts are …show more content…

With the confrontation with his father’s ghost, skeptical at first but proven to be true, leaves Hamlet and his conscience divided. He is torn between obeying his father’s wishes but wanting the ghost’s words to be proven. He cannot bare the fact of murder on his hands. Along with the confusion of the ghost, Hamlet is struggling with his feelings towards his mother. On one hand, he loves his mother, but on the other, he truly despises the fact she married his uncle so soon after his father’s death; “She married. O, most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets! It is not, nor it cannot come to good. But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue” (Act I, Scene II, lines 161-164). Ophelia’s love adds onto his internal conflict due to her betrayal. His actions towards her are violent that he later regrets. Between the confusion with his father’s ghost, his mother’s marriage and Ophelia’s betrayal, all caused Hamlet to fall in deep depression and keep him from making clear decisions. Hamlet does not see straight at this point and fears making his decision.Although his internal conflicts are shown very subtle throughout the play, Hamlet is suffering

Get Access