An Example Of Conflict Between Characters In Shakespeare's Hamlet

547 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Character connections and conflicts in hamlet

In Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet there are many examples of conflict between the characters. For example Hamlet and Claudius over the fact that Hamlet believes that his uncle Claudius killed Hamlet’s dad (king Hamlet) and Hamlet becomes fixated on the idea that he needs to kill Claudius to avenge his father’s death which ultimately leads to his insanity. Another example of conflict is between Ophelia, Polonius and Laertes as Ophelia is deeply in love with Hamlet yet her father (Polonius) and brother (Laertes) disagree with her decision and as the men in this time controlled the women Ophelia had no say in her actions towards her feelings for Hamlet. This among many other reasons such as the love of her life being the murderer of her father leads Ophelia into her madness and eventually her own death.

One of the biggest controversies between characters in Hamlet would be the conflict between …show more content…

For example, Hamlet had compared death to an “undiscovered country” which symbolises that Hamlet sees death as something strange and remote. Another example of a literary device that is used frequently in Hamlet is similes. “Like Niobe, all tears…” (1. 2. 149) this quote from Hamlet and spoken by Hamlet is a simile that is referring Gertrude and comparing her to the Greek mythologist Niobe. Niobe’s children were killed by the gods and this event turned her bitter which had been unlike Gertrude whom had shown very little to almost no emotion towards her own husband’s departure. Hamlet had not been the only character in the play too speaks any literary devices. Other characters from Hamlet have also used similes such as Gertrude saying “These words like daggers enter in mine ears.” (3. 4. 95) Gertrude had been describing Hamlets words to her as daggers as they hurt her so much and she could not bear to hear them.

Show More
Related

  • Act 2 Hamlet Dialectical Journal

    293 Words  | 1 Pages

    My so called friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern whom I know from Wittenberg were invited by my mother and Claudius to spy on me because they were concerned with my behavior and my apparent inability to recover from my father’s death. Claudius wasn’t only worried about me but also worried that Prince Fortinbras’s would attack Denmark thankfully he only asks if his armies could be allowed safe passage through Denmark on their way to attack the Poles. Relieved to have averted a war with Fortinbras’s army, Claudius gives him permission to only pass by. When I saw my friends have arrived I asked why they came to visit they lied and said just to see me I knew my mother and her king were behind this so I didn’t worry much

    Read More

  • To Be or Not To Be Loved

    1398 Words  | 3 Pages

    William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet is the dramatic story of a son who felt betrayed by both his mother, and the woman that he loved. Written in the Elizabethan era, around 1600, “Shakespeare's focus on Hamlet's intellectual conflicts was a significant departure from contemporary revenge tragedies… which tended to dramatize violent acts graphically on stage” (Hamlet). The play depicts Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, who it visited by the ghost of his father, King Hamlet. The ghost reveals how he was murdered by his brother Claudius, who then claimed the title of King, and married Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude. Hamlet vows to avenge his father’s untimely death. Hamlet is in love with Ophelia, but her brother, Laertes, and father, Polonius, warn her that Hamlet can never really love her. Ophelia, following her father’s wishes, is unwittingly enlisted to spy on Hamlet, which leaves him feeling betrayed. Hamlet rejects Ophelia, accidently stabs and kills Polonius, and then hides the body. Ophelia becomes so distraught over her father’s death, that she ultimately drowns herself. Hamlet is devastated when he learns of Ophelia’s death. The play culminates with a sword fight between Hamlet and Laertes. Hamlet’s mother dies from inadvertently drinking poisoned wine that was intended to kill Hamlet. Laertes and Hamlet are both stabbed with a poison-tipped sword, but before dying, Laertes confesses that Claudius was the mastermind behind everything. Hamlet forces Claudius to also drink the wine and the irony is that everyone dies in the end. One of the most controversial topics in history is the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia. Hamlet’s letters express his sincere feelings, and reveal that he was very much in love with Ophe...

    Read More

  • Juxtaposition In Shakespeare's Hamlet

    1710 Words  | 4 Pages

    Juxtaposition is a device that is often used to enhance and relate certain aspects of a writing piece. William Shakespeare uses this device in his plays to emphasize characteristics, themes and even scenes. He does this so that the elements that are being highlighted show major significance throughout the tragedy. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet juxtaposition is evident in the circumstances of the characters as well as their morals. Characters in the play that are juxtaposed against each other are Hamlet with Laertes, Hamlet again with Fortinbras and Ophelia with Gertrude. Overall they are parallel to each other and are considered foil characters due to their similarities and even differences.

    Read More

  • Hamlet's Inner and Outer Conflict in Shakespeare's Hamlet

    558 Words  | 2 Pages

    Conflict, in literary context, can be defined as “the opposition of persons or forces that gives rise to the dramatic action in a drama or fiction.” Conflicts can be external, between two or more persons, or internal, within one’s self. In most literature the conflict adds to the execution of the plot itself. Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” makes use of both forms of conflict as an essential element of the play. I will show how “Hamlet” presents inner and outer conflicts with examples of each and how their resolutions (if any) serve as a major part of the overall play itself.

    Read More

  • Hamlet's Immaturity in Shakespeare's Hamlet

    744 Words  | 2 Pages

    A second example of Hamlet’s immaturity, which stems from his plotting against Claudius, can be seen in his treatment of Ophelia, the daughter of a court advisor. Hamlet himself gives cause for belief that he is in love with Ophelia. He writes to her informing her that she is his “…soul’s idol…” (Polonius 2:2). How ever when Hamlet affects insanity he treats Ophelia in a very ribald manner. After a litany of insults directed at Ophelia because of Hamlet’s belief that she is in league with Polonius in trying to trap him he goes so far as to proclaim “I loved you not.” (Hamlet 3:1) Hamlet used Ophelia quite cruelly in order to strike a blow at her father and Claudius. Instead of acting like a man and telling them directly what he thought of them he abused a trusting, loving, girl in order to deliver his message of loathing.

    Read More

  • The Inner Struggle in Shakespeare's Hamlet

    912 Words  | 2 Pages

    On the journey through the path of life, there are encounters with many different incidents and situations where we must act accordingly.  Depending on what type of personality is possessed, there are numerous ways that we can deal with these encounters.  In the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, the main character is confronted with a cluster of dilemmas and is in emotional distress.  The ghost that encounters Hamlet, the monarchs’ incest, and the contemplation of murder, are the major conflicts which he must deal with one way or another.  As a result of these three issues, as well as Hamlet’s particular character, he handles these issues internally which causes internal struggle and a passive response.

    Read More

  • Hamlet

    529 Words  | 2 Pages

    Fury and frustration instigate Hamlet’s and Laertes’ indiscreet actions and causes them not to think of the consequences that may follow. Hamlet and Laertes share a different but deep love and concern for Ophelia. Laertes advises her to retain from seeing and being involved with Hamlet because of his social status. He didn’t want her to get her heart broken by Hamlet, since he believed that his marriage would be arranged to someone of his social status, and that he would only use and hurt Ophelia. Hamlet on the other hand, was madly in love with Ophelia but it languishes after she rejects him.

    Read More

  • Parent And Child Conflict In Hamlet

    605 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Hamlet, we see a struggle between Hamlet, Prince of Denmark and his mother Gertrude, Queen of Denmark. Hamlet wants to please his mother and be a good son, but he struggles with his inner self, dealing with the knowledge of his fathers murder, by his uncle, Claudius. Hamlet and Gertrude’s struggle throughout the play shows the common Parent/Child conflict we all go through, including being misunderstood, not listened to, or possibly betrayal in some cases, like in Hamlet.

    Read More

  • The Many Identities of Hamlet in Hamlet by William Shakespeare

    684 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, the protagonist, Price Hamlet, uses several ways to defend himself against his oedipal desires, his animosity towards his uncle, as well as his own inner conflict . Hamlet's hatred towards Claudius stems from two crimes committed; Claudius' murder of his brother and his incest with Hamlet's mother. Because of the seriousness of both crimes, as well as the fact that both persons affected are closely related, there is evidence of an interrelation between both of the crimes; which can further explains Hamlet's reaction. Following his father, King Hamlet's death, his mother, Gertrude proceeds to marry his Uncle Claudius; this causes a surge of Hamlet's oedipal desires towards his mother. Hamlet attempts to reconcile his incestuous urges using his relationship with Ophelia. Furthermore, his need for vengeance for his father's death causes Hamlet to experience great anger towards his Uncle; Hamlet incorporates the Oedipus Complex in his revenge against his father's murderer, who is presently his mother's husband. At the same time, Hamlet experiences an inner conflict. He is torn between his duty to avenge his father's death and his inability to kill his uncle; which can be seen in relation to his Oedipal Complex as well.

    Read More

  • Abuse Of Power In Hamlet

    1252 Words  | 3 Pages

    At first, Hamlet is successful, and society is convinced Ophelia is the reason for his madness, thus granting Hamlet more time to plot Claudius’s murder. This is achieved in Hamlet’s “to be or not to be speech” [3,1,57] when Claudius and Polonius spy on the conversation between Hamlet and Ophelia. During the Act, Ophelia displays traits of dishonesty and Hamlet uses this to his benefit and appears to go insane to convince Ophelia, Claudius and Polonius that Ophelia is responsible for his madness. Hamlet insists his madness is an “antic disposition” [1,5,179] and that “Thou this be madness, yet there is method in it”. [2,2,204] In the play, Hamlet uses his “antic disposition” [1,5,179] to refuse Ophelia’s affections, which is powerfully portrayed when he exclaims to her “get thee to a nunnery.” [3,1,138] By denying Ophelia’s love, Hamlet’s power in the relationship is effectively demonstrated, and it is shown he is in control of their relationship. In addition, this is reflected in Ophelia’s self-destruction, as she has no purpose to live a life without Hamlet or a man. Overall, Hamlet is successful in using his power over Ophelia for the sake of his

    Read More

  • Hamlet and Claudius’ Power Struggle

    1838 Words  | 4 Pages

    One main theme that arises in the Hamlet is the power struggle between Hamlet and Claudius. The main problem is between Hamlet and Claudius; they are in an ongoing battle throughout the play to see who will rise with the power of the throne. Claudius is the antagonist in the story and has multiple people under him that follow his every rule (Innes). He is a manipulative character who seeks revenge on Hamlet through other people he knows. On the other hand, Hamlet is the protagonist of the story, he is very unhappy after finding out the news of how his father had been killed (Innes). He is overtaken though by the ghost of his father, Old Hamlet, and is seen to become mad as a consequence. Although Hamlet seeks revenge against his new stepfather he procrastinates killing him. Hamlet has also considered killing himself beforehand because of the struggle of power between his stepfather and himself. In the last scene of the play the power struggle that had been between Hamlet and Claudius comes to a conclusion as Gertrude, Laertes, Claudius and Hamlet die. Throughout the play Laertes, Horatio and Gertrude choose a side to be on, either between Hamlet’s and Claudius’s who both are trying to obtain the utmost power.

    Read More

  • MLA Literary Essay: Who is Responsible for the Tragedies in Hamlet

    883 Words  | 2 Pages

    The murder of King Hamlet can be seen as where it all began. The selfish decision Claudius makes to murder Hamlet’s father makes him liable for all the other tragedies that occur. The death of King Hamlet causes Hamlet to act out of character, which makes him do things he would not normally do. This leads to the deaths of Polonius and Ophelia. “Thou wreched, rash, intruding fool farewell./I took thee for thy better: Take thy fortune:/ Thou find’st to be too busy is some danger (3.4, 32 - 35) When Polonius gets caught spying on Hamlet talking to his mother, Hamlet takes a sword and stabs through the curtain and kills Polonius in hopes that it was Claudius. Hamlet would never have knowingly killed Polonius. On account of the death of Polonius, this causes Ophelia to act crazy because she misses her father. “Well good dild you! They say the owl was a baker's/ daughter. Lord, we know what we are, but know not/ what we may be. God be at your table!” (4.5, 40 - 42). Ophelia talking crazy was just the beginning of it all. The absurdity of Ophelia’s actions and talking lead to the eventual demise of her character, leading to her death(suicide). “One we do...

    Read More

  • Theme Of Internal Conflict In Hamlet

    1381 Words  | 3 Pages

    Incest, hatred, trickery, revenge, justice and a thousand more themes all appear in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Each character is complex and troubled by something. They all have their own sins which they face. The story follows each character, whether evil or good, and creates a dramatic atmosphere in a whirlwind of external conflict which then stirs up emotions, fashioning an internal conflict. One most certainly drives the other. The main character, Hamlet, certainly is focused on the most in terms of internal conflict; however, the other characters give off many signs and speeches that tell us he’s not the only one. All of the scenes where we get the most in depth with Hamlet’s internal struggle.

    Read More

  • Conflict in William Shakespeare's Hamlet

    2442 Words  | 5 Pages

    middle of paper ... ... proach; via another character. Shakespeare uses conflict in Hamlet as a way of exploring ideas. He does this thorough the internal and external conflict that his characters face within the kingdom of Denmark. The conflict that follows is an outcome of lies and deceit which brings about tragedy.

    Read More

  • Inconsistency in The Character of Hamlet

    1079 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

More about An Example Of Conflict Between Characters In Shakespeare's Hamlet

Open Document