Custom Written Essays - The Enigmatic Hamlet Of all of Shakespeares characters that I have studied thus far, Hamlet is an enigmatic standout. The complexity of so intriguing a character as Hamlet commends the immense skill of Shakespeare to create characters that seem almost more real and believable than people we meet daily. It is doubtful that many others could combine the eloquence and wit that emanates from the character of Hamlet, who captivates his audience with such charming presence. In a grand display of his linguistic capabilities, Hamlet delivers the passage: I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation prevent your discovery, and your secrecy to the King and Queen molt no feather. I have of late, but Wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth, forgone all Custom of exercises; and indeed, it goes so heavily With my disposition that this goodly from, the Earth, seems to me a sterile promontory; this most Excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave Oerhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted With golden fire: why, it appeareth nothing to me But a foul and pestilent congregation of vapors. What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, How infinite in faculties, in form and moving how Express and admirable, in action how like an angel, In apprehension how like a god: the beauty of the World, the paragon of animals; and yet to me, what Is this quintessence of dust? Man delights not me; Nor woman neither, though by your smiling you Seem to say so. (II. ii. 301-319). Wrapped up in this passage is a complete portrayal of the intimate machinations that are contained in Hamlets person. The passage portrays an intimidating and real Hamlet who is passionate and intelligent, thinks deeply on serious matters, and can, in a seemingly simple speech, sum up the circumstances that affect him in the whole of the play. Firstly, the quoted passage reveals a Hamlet that rises as an intimidating figure whose high level of intelligence is seen indirectly, as if masked. We, the audience, are immediately captivated by Hamlet, who strikes us as one of those kinds of people that we dare not match wits with in real life, but we are happy to be voyeurs of. Hamlets thoughts move in a chess-like fashion where what he reveals to us only intrigues us as to what is kept hidden. Prior to this passage, Hamlet is all fun and games, treating Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as dear chums. Yet, if Hamlet were a comedy, we could appropriately have Rosencrantz and Guildenstern stand mouths gaping while Hamlet delivers a devastating checkmate with the introduction, I will tell you why. Hamlets hair-splitting intelligence reveals his awareness of every facet of his circumstances, and also his clever dealing with his present situation, mentally staying one step ahead of everyone else. As if a psychic, Hamlet assures Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that their secret deal with the King and Queen will not be revealed so that they need not molt no feather. As Hamlet describes the state he is in, no more than what is already known is revealed, though more is hinted at. In fact, Hamlet feigns a digression from revealing the cause of his black mood and plunges into an epic depiction of his present temperament in comparing the earth and majestical sky as a dull background to the thoughts in his head. Hamlet then seems to lose himself in the moment and brings up the nobility of man, which also becomes an unworthy thought for Hamlets head. Yet, within these strikingly meaningless illustrations of earth, sky, and man hides the truth of Hamlets meditations. In the descriptions of earth and sky, Hamlet is showing his disgust with the world. This is overshadowed by Hamlets boredom with man, which is actually his distaste of his uncle, the king, and his mother, who is the woman neither, which delights not him. Left naked, the shamed Rosencrantz can only deny everything outright. Thus, Hamlet intimates his thoughts of disgust with the world and the king and queen. While Hamlet only hints at the other machinations in his head, he does display strong feelings in his foggy discourse. From this complex passage, the audience is not only captivated by Hamlets intelligence, but also by his passion. In diminishing the earth as a sterile promontory, Hamlet evokes images of a man whose state is somewhat on the edge, a jagged figure drenched in drama. Paralleling the dramatic ambiance, Hamlet immediately switches to a dialogue of the sky, declaring it a brave oerhanging firmament, majestical roof fretted with golden fire. Hamlet paints our minds eye with a glowing picture of a breathtaking panorama, and then immediately cuts into a scene of foul and pestilent congregation of vapors, which strikes us with a modern conception of a nuclear wasteland. Hamlets juxtaposition of extreme descriptions with his seemingly macabre disposition wrenches us from one polar end to the other, impressing us with his intense passion. Nevertheless, like a true chess grandmaster, Hamlet saves the best for last; Hamlets masked dialogue of the king and queen strikes with the greatest force. In proclaiming the grandeur of man and then rejecting the figure, along with woman, Hamlet gives confession of the true reason for his dark mood: his abhorrence with his uncles regicide and his mothers part in the circumstances. Hamlets final line of the quoted passage contains the essence of his mood in its economy and suggestiveness. In its first seven words, man delights not me; nor woman neither, the line severs any additional meaning and simply states the morbidly pure sentiment of raw hatred that Hamlet finds embedded deep in his heart. Juxtaposed against the lavish descriptions of earth, sky, and man, Hamlets last line cuts cleaner than paper and wounds its audience with a profound impression of Hamlets hatred. It is this hatred that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern fail to perceive, and knowing this Hamlet shows his contempt for the two interrogators with the patronizing and diffusing words, though by your smiling you seem to say so. Hamlet uses his wit to dance around nearly every character in the play, while displaying a vibrant spirit that is unleashed in words. As mentioned before, Hamlets actions appear very deliberate, as one playing chess. Though we can interpret some of Hamlets thoughts and feelings, we are kept in a constant doubt as to whether what we perceive is the part, or the whole. It almost seems diminishing to say that Hamlet is complex, but in thinking so we realize of the charms of Hamlet. His characterization is a puzzle, whose pieces appear mixed with pieces of other puzzles. In other words, Hamlet is not a figure you can characterize as having one easily defined personality. In the quoted passage, Hamlet uses several different tones of speech that illuminate different facets of his person. Hamlets first line brings to light a cunning Hamlet who comes off a touch brash, disclosing his knowledge of Rosencrantzs and Guildensterns secret motive as if they did a poor job of hiding it. Next, starting with the words, I have of late, Hamlet switches to a softer, and appealingly pitiable tone of sensitivity that contains no aggressiveness, as in his previous tone. The tone in this line is also tinged with a hint of melancholy, supporting the impression of a pitiable character lost in a current drama. Following this is a passionate and cheerful tone of one who finds profound pleasure in the grandeur of nature, philosophizing on the most excellent and majestical sky. Distinct from the introspective depression seen in the tone previous, Hamlet shows himself a noble and inspired extrovert, proclaiming optimism through an appreciation of nature. Hamlets bright character is then suddenly snuffed out by a contradicting morbid line of bitterness, denouncing the grand sky as an ugly cloud of gases. Like two successive scenes on a roll of film, Hamlets tone is once bright, and then as dark as night. The next scene on this film-strip also pops up abruptly, conflicting with the dark tone seen just seconds before. Hamlet now praises the magnificence of man, showing us a wise and admirable Hamlet who heaps praises on humanity, burying with spirit and zest. Hamlets last change of tone emanates apathy, once again totally conflicting with its previous tone. In an impressive flurry of tone changes, we sit stunned and in awe at Hamlets rapid change of masks, confusing us as to how many facets exist to Hamlets personality; we realize the complexity of Hamlets character that does not fail to mesmerize. Previous to this quoted passage, Polonius establishes the elusiveness of Hamlets dialogue in commenting, How/ Pregnant sometimes his replies are! A happiness/ That often madness hits on, which reason and sanity/ Could not so prosperously be delivered of (II. ii. 210-14). We, the audience, sit stunned at Hamlets relevant ravings. Finally, a fiftieth reading of the quoted passage decodes the puzzling innuendoes that hide behind the seemingly schizophrenic sequence of images. The first five lines of the passage are a statement of the present situation that has brought Rosencrantz and Guildenstern into Hamlets company. Hamlets anticipation is simply Hamlets awareness that the king and queen have taken notice of his black mood, and have taken measures to discover whether his prolonged mourning is solely mourning. The next image of the earth differs from the first in that several issues are hinted at. In describing the earth as a goodly frame, Hamlet is referring first to his good homeland, Denmark, which he cannot help but love as his native country. The following sterile promontory, however, refers to his home as a stagnant cliff eagerly jutting out into the water, alluding to Hamlets rejected wish to school in Wittenberg (I. ii. 119-20). Perhaps reading a bit far into the image, the earth can also possibly refer to Hamlets dead fathers present place of underground rest, which is sterile by disallowing Hamlets father to avenge himself. The following image is of the sky, which seems to refer to Hamlets uncle, the king, in being described as a majestical roof fretted with golden fire. This description appears respectful, but sarcastic undertones resonate an embellishment for the hated uncle. Inferring the king as a brave oerhanging firmament appears somewhat of a challenge by Hamlet, who has the intention of murdering his brave uncle, his fathers murderer. These assertions gain weight with Hamlets line, foul and pestilent congregation of vapours, if we take into account the hatred that Hamlet harbours towards his uncle-king. The following image of man seems an encompassing one that is linked to Hamlets mood that changes in accordance to Hamlets current company. However, Hamlets questioning, yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? touches upon the many introspective soliloquies where Hamlet ponders much about himself, and the immoral actions of others. As well as being a questioning of man, Hamlets question also hints at Hamlets obsession with death, which pervades the whole play. Finally, Hamlets declaration of his displeasure with man and woman is an obvious declaration of the hatred he harbours for his uncle and his mother. Yet, the simplicity of Hamlets statement implies a duality of meaning. Though man is an obvious reference to his uncle, the term can also refer to Hamlets constant self-criticism; and woman can also be a reference to Ophelia, who later rejects, betrays, and literally refuses him physical delight. True to his complex nature, Hamlets images touch upon the several important factors of the plot of Hamlet. I must now confess that though I have heard countless mention of the famous Hamlet, I have gone through the whole of my education without any tangible encounter with the play, until now. I must also confess that professor Stockholders accompanying lesson unveiled the character of Hamlet as one of my literary liberators (Stockholder, 116). Oddly enough, I found Hamlet to be less of a character that allows for a kind of self-validation, (116), and more of a character that reinforces my own confusing introspections. Nevertheless, I found every aspect of the play captivating, and found my eyes opening ever wider with every reading of the quoted passage. Luckily, I have found Hamlet through my studies and will, in future, definitely be rereading Shakespeares words, words, words(II. ii. 194). Works Cited Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. (New York: Penguin Books Ltd., 1987). Stockholder, Kay. English 365: Shakespeare. (Vancouver: UBC Press, 1997).
In the play Hamlet written by William Shakespeare, the character Hamlet is a multi-dimensional character with multiple personalities that give the play a greater depth and perspective. Through his monologues and soliloquies, many different personalities of Hamlet are exposed, including his three basic contrasting personalities: clear-minded vs. troubled, action vs. inaction, and obedience/innocence vs. revenge. Throughout the story, both contrasting personalities are depicted by both Hamlet himself and other similar foil characters who are in similar circumstances but react in drastically different ways. Three such foil characters are Horatio, who shows a clear mind in the midst of his troubles, Fortinbras, who chooses action over inaction, and Ophelia, who depicts innocence throughout the midst of the chaos of the play.
In parallel, Hamlet analyses death as a destined part of life and thus, this existential questioning gives the play its literary value. This is most significant within Hamlet’s well known “To be or not to be” soliloquy, where Hamlet philosophises using metaphors, whether it is nobler to accept fate “suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,” to fight fate “take arms against a sea of troubles,” or perhaps to fight fate by ending life “by opposing, end them.” Hamlet first sees death as more preferable to life, illustrated through the iambic line “For who would bear the whips and scorns of time” before listing problems that make life a burden, this however, is brought further by the metaphor “the undiscovered country/no traveller returns,” where Hamlet compels us to consider the uncertainty of death. Not only is it a philosophical and religious debate, what Hamlet is saying is a question that is fundamental to humanity. From Shakespeare’s use of soliloquy, we gain strong insight into Hamlet’s mind and personal dilemmas, allowing us, to understand his wrestle with his conscience. As we too emphasise with his dilemma of futile values and christian morality Stage directions are also used to emphasise black humour “he digs and sings,” drawing a contrast in the image of the gravedigger singing while at work “Has this fellow no feeling…?” it is
Since there was nothing that Abraham Lincoln could do to settle the disputes in an orderly conduct, the only this was to go to war. I am not for that at all because some of the people were fighting against their friends and even against their family. Especially at the battle of Gettysburg where 53,000 Americans were killing there own people. Many people think that the whole reason for the Civil War was because of slavery. But later on in the years, the people would rather have “free soil” than to keep the slaves working for them. What that means is that the people in the South were more concentrated on the amount of territory they could get, the North as well, then to then to give up slavery. The cotton manufacturing and the manufacturing of other goods was also a key aspect to the war. The South had all the cotton but that was the only manufacturing good. Meanwhile, the...
Hamlet is at the centre of the play and, as a reactive rather than active character, is betrayed by almost every character he has a relationship with. This climate of deception within his family imbues within Hamlet an obsession with truth and a search for a meaning to life below the secrecy, seen in the ‘To be or not to be’ soliloquy. “…whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles…”. The rush of battle imagery used by Hamlet appears conflicting. This communicates Hamlet’s chaotic state of mind as he attempts to wrestle with the complex issues of the meaning of life and his
After noticing Hamlet’s hostile attitude, Gertrude and Claudius ask Hamlet accept their marriage graciously. Refusing, Hamlet states that his grieving is an“[action] that a man might play”(1.2.84). Through this statement, Hamlet tries to express that he feels he still has a filial obligation towards his father, and could never accept Claudius and Gertrude’s marriage without betraying his personal morals. Immediately, Claudius calls him out, saying that Hamlet’s mourning is “unmanly”(1.2.94), a insult that is intended to harm Hamlet’s pride. In result of this insult, Hamlet’s journey to find what truly defines a man begins. In the beginning of the play, Hamlet believes that he is a man because he sustains filial and honorable memories of his father. However, he lacks attachment to the rest of the world, stating that he has no feeling for the “quintessence of dust”(2.2.278) that is humanity whilst speaking about his depression with his old friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who were sent by the King to gain information from Hamlet. Hamlet aims to demean humanity not by saying they are dust, but rather that their existence in general means nothing to him. In this scene, the reader can find that Hamlet is highly egotistical and thinks only of himself, uncaring towards the world around him and focusing only on what is important to
At the crux of Shakespeare’s Hamlet lies the timeless, dynamic exploration of human nature and experience, supplemented by masterful manipulations of dramatic and literary elements that embed within the play ambiguity in both meaning and purpose. As a responder, the final scenes of Hamlet has significantly affected my judgement of the play, as Shakespeare’s masterly ability to control the use and flow of language serves to rectify through these scenes the universal confrontation of thematic concerns such as morality, mortality, and uncertainty. The combination of characterisation, symbolism and Hamlet’s struggles as an existentialist hero acts as a vessel for Shakespeare’s insightful perception on the intricacies of the human condition, sparking
Shakespeare’s Hamlet is arguably one of the best plays known to English literature. It presents the protagonist, Hamlet, and his increasingly complex path through self discovery. His character is of an abnormally complex nature, the likes of which not often found in plays, and many different theses have been put forward about Hamlet's dynamic disposition. One such thesis is that Hamlet is a young man with an identity crisis living in a world of conflicting values.
As every Shakespearean character, Hamlet is a multi-faceted person. He is a man characterised by high moral standards, intelligence and a deep sensitivity. He is brave, noble and witty.This essay will analyse his complex personality showing how the text conveys his main features: nobility, loneliness, melancholy and suffering.
He is trapped in Elsinore, a town where it seems that people will do almost anything to acquire prestige and power. He believes everything in the world should be good and fair so he does not understand people’s corrupt actions. He finally comes to the realization that “’tis an unweeded garden that grows to seed. Things rank and gross in nature possess it merely. That it should come to this” (I.2.135-137). The reader also sees a time that Hamlets comes to terms with the world when he tells Rosencrantz that the world has many “confines, wards, and dungeons. Denmark being one o’ th’ worst” (II.2. 132-133). For example, his mother’s marriage to his uncle is something that he does not understand. The reader can tell that the marriage obviously upsets Hamlet when he mutters under his breath, “a little more than kin, and less than kind” (I.2.65). Speaking of his mother, he states that within a month, “ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears had left the flushing of her galled eyes, she married” (II.2.154-156). Hamlet also comes to the conclusion that “to pose with such dexterity to incestuous sheets,” is not good and will have no good result of it (II.2.156-157). The reader is also given insight to Hamlet’s disgust for his mother’s ability to move on so quickly when he calls her weak and states that “a best that wants discourse of reason would have mourned longer” (I.2.150-151). By practically comparing his mother to
Shakespeare’s Hamlet is known to be as one of his most famous plays, due to the complexity of the main protagonist Hamlet himself, by showcasing him to the audience in two different lights. As the brightest and most sensitive character throughout the play he is also seen as the most callous and vicious. By giving Hamlet intentions that can be viewed as both good and evil, Shakespeare creates a character that is depicted as psychotic and rational at the same time.
What intrigues me most about Hamlet is the complexity of Hamlet’s character. In Hamlet, although the external world is in disarray, it is the disturbance of Hamlet’s personal world that drives the play’s dramatic action and tension. The exasperation Hamlet embodies is caused by many internal conflicts of delay, morality, sanity, and irrationality that arise from events that mislead his decision making. Shakespeare’s Hamlet (1599-1601) is play where Hamlet struggles to take action and confronts conflicting ideologies opposed upon him, which still resonates with a modern audience today.
As the play’s tragic hero, Hamlet exhibits a combination of good and bad traits. A complex character, he displays a variety of characteristics throughout the play’s development. When he is first introduced in Act I- Scene 2, one sees Hamlet as a sensitive young prince who is mourning the death of his father, the King. In addition, his mother’s immediate marriage to his uncle has left him in even greater despair. Mixed in with this immense sense of grief, are obvious feelings of anger and frustration. The combination of these emotions leaves one feeling sympathetic to Hamlet; he becomes a very “human” character. One sees from the very beginning that he is a very complex and conflicted man, and that his tragedy has already begun.
Hamlet shows a lot of sadness and also contemplates suicide. He is very confused with his feelings and his depression has brought down his spirits, but Hamlet uses a mask of pride to hide all of this from the naked eye. The many event’s which have occurred, has made thinking straight for Hamlet difficult. His plans of avenging his fathers death are unraveling beforehis eyes; and he is not in the right state of mind to fix things.
Hamlet’s opening soliloquy is a remarkably telling and revealing speech that presents a theme of attitude that will supersede continuously throughout the play. The main focus of this soliloquy is the rottenness of the King, Queen and the world in general, thus the audience gets there first glimpse into Hamlet’s character. Through this speech the readers are introduced to Hamlets depressed and sadden thoughts. This characteristic is emphasized through the opening lines of the soliloquy, “How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this world” (1.2.133-134). This soliloquy marks a time in Hamlet’s lif...
The perfection of Hamlet’s character has been called in question - perhaps by those who do not understand it. The character of Hamlet stands by itself. It is not a character marked by strength of will or even of passion, but by refinement of thought and sentiment. Hamlet is as little of the hero as a man can be. He is a young and princely novice, full of high enthusiasm and quick sensibility - the sport of circumstances, questioning with fortune and refining on his own feelings, and forced from his natural disposition by the strangeness of his situation.