Honore de Balzac once said “Most people of action are inclined to fatalism and most of thought believe in providence.” Men of fatalism believe they are powerless to do anything other than what they believe they are destined to do. These men are more likely to make rash decisions and leave the rest to fate. On the other hand, men of Providence believe in the guidance of God or nature when making important decisions rather than the guidance of man. In William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet, he portrays his characters as having both types of qualities. Characters like Claudius, Laertes and Hamlet represent the action of men and how audacious they behave. On the other hand, Shakespeare also uses Hamlet
Quintessentially speaking, revenge is a thing that many have sought in response to a tragic event unfolding. Typically, as a result, vengeance is contemplated upon by the victim as a means of retribution, a way of making things right and seeking justice on the behest of the victim, if the law will not grant justice through due process due to corrupt forces stemmed deep within it- corrupt seeds of a corrupt plant. Therefore, revenge become an apparent option for those willing to walk that path [of no return]. However, instances of revenge not being attained in the “clear cut” way it is ordinarily acquired have occurred from time to time throughout history. One of the most prominent examples of unconventional revenge attainment can be found within the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, entailing the revenge path walked by its eponymously named main character, Prince Hamlet. Specifically, his intentful delay in attaining his revenge against his uncle Claudius for his direct role in the death of his father, King Hamlet. This literary conundrum has dumbfounded literary critics for over 400 years and counting- due to the fact that a universally accepted consensus amongst them as well as the general public as to why Hamlet delayed his revenge has not yet been reached.
Being indecisive means not showing or having the ability to make a decision. Not making a decision quickly and efficiently. In the book Hamlet, the main character, the prince of Denmark. Hamlet has shown that he is indecisive throughout the book. Hamlet shows that he is mostly indecisive when it comes to his father’s death, King Hamlet. Hamlet also doesn’t trust anybody. Hamlet can’t even trust his own family or his girlfriend. Hamlet has been acting like he is mad because he doesn’t want to confront people so he just acts like he is crazy. Hamlet always acts with an impulse, Hamlet can only show bravery when it doesn’t involve his family. Such as when his boat was attacked in England by pirates. At this point Hamlet just doesn’t know what to do with his life. Everything is moving too fast, like his mom getting married quick after his father’s death. Also the fact that Gertrude married Hamlets uncle is just too much for Hamlet right now.
Hamlet ends his soliloquy by saying “But break my heart, for I must hold my tongue.” One reason Hamlet states he must hold his tongue, is that there is no point continuing with his speech, because no one in the royal court let alone Denmark seems to find any wrong-doing regarding Queen Gertrude marrying her dead husband’s brother. Another reason Hamlet may have said “for I must hold my tongue is because even though he is tormented by Queen Gertrude and King Claudius’ marriage Hamlet knows he can’t discuss his anguish with anyone else. This is evident when Hamlet says “But break my heart, for I must hold my tongue.”
Many can feel lost at times because, but the confusion only allows them to see themselves. Individuals lose themselves in the state confusion, but can learn things that they never knew. Characters in Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead lose themselves in confusion but realize something new about themselves. Different characters face realization through different feelings, such as uncertainty, distraction, and agitation. Even though confusion leads an individual’s thoughts into turmoil, confusion will allow the individual to change in a positive or negative way. Individuals will react differently to situations and have different outcomes, but they will all go through the same process of battling against their own minds in order
aspects of Hamlets character. It is used when referring to the garden, to poison and to
In William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet, it is clearly evident Prince Hamlet is overcome with “madness” due to his father’s murder and other malicious actions taken against him. Throughout the play, there are many examples of how Hamlet displays his insanity due to certain situations he experiences and how he handles them. Hamlet shows his madness through the killing of Polonius, his treatment of Ophelia, his thoughts of suicide, and the treatment of his mother Gertrude.
Throughout the play, Shakespeare begins to show the basics of Hamlet’s mind, striving to show, as to why he remains inactive and unsure throughout majority of the play. Firstly, “…but know, thou know noble youth/ The serpent that did sting thy father’s life/ Now wears his crown” (Act I. v. 39-40). As the Ghost tells Hamlet his father’s real murder, Shakespeare begins to show the reader, that the protagonist is encountering the Shadow archetype, which represents unknown characteristics of the main character. The reader is shown with the presence of the Shadow archetype, that Hamlet’s concealed suspicion regarding the death of his father, which was considered as an accident, turns into an urge to seek revenge. This archetype reveals to us Hamlet’s inner desires to kill his Uncle Claudius. Furthermore, “…your noble son is mad:/ Mad call I it, for, to define true madness,/ What is’t but to be nothing else but mad?” (Act II. ii. 92-94). Polonius tells the Queen and King that Hamlet is insane for Ophelia, as a result, the Anima archetype is represented by a member of the opposite sex. As for Hamlet, it is a sign of feminine desires he once had for Ophelia, who were once lovers. However, he ignores the affection he has towards Ophelia, in order to focus on his pursuit for vengeance. Moreover, “I have some rights of memory in this kingdom,/ Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me” (Act V.ii.379-380). Fortinbras and Hamlet’s motive is to avenge their
4) In the text spoken by Horatio it seems to follow the idea that fear is pervasive. Horatio claims that all ghosts are bad in the city, who talked bad about one another after the death of Julius Caeser was assassinated. Evil diction is present in the passage as
Hamlet is considered to be Shakespeare’s greatest work, and the soliloquy to be or not to be is equally as famous. Hamlet is one of the greatest dramatic characters of all time and the role of Hamlet is one that many actors strive to play. Shakespeare wrote the character Hamlet in a very specific manner and it is because of this that few have found success in performing this role. Moreover the soliloquy to be or not to be has been one that has defined the level of success of an actors role of Hamlet. Famous actors like Lawrence Olivier, John Gielgud, Jude Law, Mel Gibson, Kenneth Branagh, David Tennant, etc. have stepped into the shoes of hamlet and into the world of Shakespeare. However, only Tennant, Gibson, and Branagh have
In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlet is a unique character due to his unpredictability. He is attempting to discover the truth in a way that no other character of Shakespeare’s has done. We find Hamlet in a state of deep melancholy due to the death of his father, as well as the very sudden and lewd marriage of his uncle and his mother. Hamlet is inspired by the player giving the speech about Hecuba witnessing the massacre of her husband, Priam. He goes off on his own, and he is bewildered at how this player can show an enormous amount of passion to something that doesn’t exist. Hamlet contemplates on the reason of how he has not been able to act yet, and he feels like he has stalled for far too long. Hamlet’s main issue isn’t that he is a coward, but a truth seeker. He is skeptical about what is true, and that is what plagues him with his duty to avenge his father.
In William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet the main character Hamlet uses several soliloquies throughout throughout the play. But there is one soliloquy; “To be, or not to be” that can arguably the most well-known soliloquy in theatre history. Even to this very day, four hundred years after the play was written, several people are vaguely aware with the soliloquy, even though they may have never heard of the play. Most people misinterpret those well-known words of Hamlet’s, not knowing the background behind the words. Hamlet anticipates whether he should take it upon himself to act appropriately to his new step-father’s/uncle’s crime against his own father or not. However, later on, Hamlet understands Fortinbras’ resolve and his pursuit for success. After observing Fortinbras and his actions, Hamlet comes to realize that he must avenge his father’s murder and bring inner peace with himself.
causes them to become silent. is Father. Horatio and Marcellus, both learn the truth The Tragedy of Hamlet is one of the most confounding works ever written in the English language. William Shakespeare, written in many different nuances with this play. There are multiple perspectives to analyze Hamlet from; there is death, mental illness, revenge, a catastrophic ending to the play. The purpose of this assignment to examine the role of Hamlet’s emotional stability and how he handles ethical dilemmas with certain characters in the play. Hamlet is not mentally ill; but is going through a dramatic event. This play can show how humans react to death and violence.
Why has Hamlet’s rage led him to a death that was destined to happen? Simple, his absolute motive was to seek revenge for the death of his father, who was once the King of Denmark. In this tragedy, Hamlet wanted to put on this image of an insane man. This would mislead the people around him from his intentions of killing King Claudius, who is strangely his uncle and “father” simultaneously. Claudius takes the throne for Denmark after pouring poison down King Hamlet’s ear without leaving any evidence behind. With this given information, the play begins with an apparition making appearances at the ramparts of the Elsinore Castle of Denmark. Readers soon discover that the ghost resembling figure is in fact Prince Hamlet’s father. As The Tragedy of Hamlet unfolds, William Shakespeare provides imagery through strong and complex dialogue. Shakespeare allowed Hamlet to lose himself in his own madness to create foreshadowing and confounding plots.
Shakespeare 's The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is a play that will forever be recognized as a staple piece in classic literature. The play was focused around Hamlet, a man betrayed by his Uncle. Hamlets father, who was the King of Denmark passed away and his Uncle (father 's brother) took his place. There is a notorious argument among the readers of this tragedy of whether or not Hamlet actually became insane after his fathers death or was just bluffing. Hamlet was not crazy. No one would be the same after the death of a parent, especially under his circumstances.