Preoccupation Of Death In Hamlet Analysis

A Preoccupation of Death in Hamlet

What truly, are the consequences of mortality? What is a rather complex question, mortality can be defined as the state of being subject to death; however the influence of such a powerful aspect in life is truly dependent on those associated with its impact. In perspective, perhaps death itself can be considered a tragedy, whereas the life of a loved one has perished. In other circumstances, the death of a fascist leader could be regarded as beneficial, or even considered as a miracle. Subsequently, the capanilities of death are solely dependent on its given circumstances. Fortunately, William Shakespeare is able to associate the cause and effect of death throughout his pieces of work in a beautiful fashion

As mentioned frequently throughout the play, Claudius assassinates Old Hamlet with the coward’s weapon of poison for both political and envious reasons. As such, Old Hamlet appears in the form of a ghostly spirit to inform his son that the only way for him to have a sorrowless and restored soul is if Hamlet were to murder the newly reigning king in the name of justful retaliation: “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder… but know, thou noble youth,/the serpent that did sting thy father’s life/now wears his crown. (1.5.25,38-40) Relevant to this comment, Old Hamlet portrays the ramification of his death as “unnatural”, insinuating that the action was heinous. Furthermore, Old Hamlet goes on to describe Claudius as an “Incestuous, adulterous animal. With his clever/with witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts/o wicked wit and gifts, that have the power/so to seduce!” (1.5.42-45) Evidently, the ghost has a sheer hatred towards Claudius for his foolish wrongdoings. Because of this, the spirit asks Hamlet to murder Claudius, as doing so would mean that Claudius would have to experience the same everlasting grief and suffering. Hamlet listens to his father, and later fulfills this mission towards the end of the play. Consequently, this is why there is a preoccupation with death throughout Hamlet, as the actions demonstrated by Claudius

To reference, Hamlet perceives death as an endless sleep that ends all suffering: “To die:—to sleep/no more; and, by a sleep to say we end/the heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks/that flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummation/devoutly to be wished” (3.1.68-72) Considering this, it is evident that Hamlet is experiencing extreme sadness and vast depression. From the death of his father to the death of his beloved Ophelia, Hamlet has no other way of coping with these recent events. Hamlet faces sorrow in a way like none other, whereas the deaths of others makes him consider his own life. Relatively, death serves as a prime influence on our protagonist’s life, and thus, is a continuous preoccupation throughout the play. In addition to Hamlet, Ophelia experiences immense suffering as well. Ophelia expresses her misery as “I, of ladies most deject and wretched/that sucked the honey of his music vows/now see that noble and most sovereign reason,out of time and harsh” (3.1.169-171) while regarding the alteration of Hamlet’s personality. With no one to reach out to for guidance or assistance, Ophelia internalizes her melancholy. Furthermore, Ophelia is deemed as irrational by her father Polonius and his companions for admiring Hamlet. This builds agony and grief inside of Ophelia’s heart, wherefore she correspondingly commits