The Duality of Hamlet’s Character Portrayed in Shakespeare's Hamlet

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Recommended: Hamlet theme of corruption

One of the first images that are created to further Shakespeare’s investigation of humanity is created by Hamlet in his first soliloquy. This simple comparison brings to life the feeling that the treachery and corruption surrounding him is enveloping all that he is familiar with. No longer is he able to see the metaphorical flowers of joy and prosperity that were once so familiar and comforting to him as they are becoming increasingly obscured by the rampant weeds of vile corruption. Hamlet furthers his emotional outpouring when he wishes that his “flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew.” He clearly wishes not to deal with the corruption that has grown thick around him. He goes as far as to offer his life for such an escape. This is exactly where Hamlet’s character is portrayed as fighting between good and evil and it shows just how much Hamlet wanted to vanish from the earth, but this attitude is shown in a manner that enables the reader to visualize this state of mind and understand Hamlet’s suicidal thoughts as rational contemplations. Hamlet is not a suicidal maniac...

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