The Inner Turmoil in Shakespeare's Hamlet

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The Inner Turmoil in Shakespeare's Hamlet

Contained in the tragic tale of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, there are numerous conflicts plaguing the youth, which he struggles with to the death. The prince battles within himself, with his royal sense of duty to his country, with his friends, his love, and his family. This essay will attempt to explain and elaborate on these internal and external frays and which opponent emerges victorious in the end.

Perhaps the most tormenting blow and the one that leads off the play is the death of Hamlet's father and the betrayal he feels that his mother and uncle have dealt him. When he learns that the Queen, before yet the King has been laid in the ground a month, is determined to marry again, and even worse to the dead king's brother, Claudius, he refuses to put off mourning for the wedding.

"'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,

Nor customary suits of solemn black,

Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,

No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,

Nor the dejected 'haviour of the visage,

Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief,

That can denote me truly: these indeed seem,

For they are actions that a man might play;

But I have that within which passeth show;

These but the trappings and the suits of woe."

While Hamlet's mother and Claudius are off making merry over their wedding, Hamlet is left alone to ponder and question what he should do to make better of this cruel injury...

... middle of paper ...

...murder, which, if he had braced his mind and heart to do long before, all these lives would have been spared, and none would have suffered save the wicked Claudius, who well-deserved to die. Being weary with pain and sadness, Hamlet himself dies by his own hand, at last finished with the struggles he has faced, struggles in which there are no victors, as well said by Laertes in his last words:

"It is here, Hamlet: Hamlet, thou art slain;

No medicine in the world can do thee good."

And by Hamlet in his:

"Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.

Things standing thus unknown, shall live behind me!

And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain to tell my story."

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