hhb

“All good books are alike in that they are truer than if they had really happened and after you are finished reading one you will feel that all that happened to you and afterwards it all belongs to you; the good and the bad, the ecstasy, the remorse, and sorrow, the people and the places and how the weather was.'' – Earnest Hemmingway. Good books are meant to allow us to experience, without experiencing, they allow us to learn and grow. They provide insight; they open our eyes, and expand our minds. Hamlet provides insight into human nature, broadening ones horizons and ultimately deepening their understanding of themselves. Through the use of universal themes Shakespeare is able to ask the “big” questions of life which help one find an answer for themselves. Additionally, he uses relatable characters to make one reexamine themselves and those in their lives. All the while his work is entertaining, captivating and enjoyable and for this reason Hamlet should be studied.

Shakespeare uses characters very effectively in the play Hamlet, as he successfully creates contrast between his flawed characters all the while making sure one can relate to them. The differences between the characters is important to understanding why Hamlet should be studied. The contrast becomes evident from the wide variety of characters used which effectively create a spectrum of traits, opinions, thoughts and actions. One can see this in his use of many foils such as Hamlet and Fortinbras, and later Hamlet and Laertes. The characters contrast in the way they react to their father’s deaths. Hamlet in his delay of action he says “That I, the son of a dear father murdered, / Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, / Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with...

... middle of paper ...

...s to juxtapose their differences and by doing so highlighting the merits, of all viewpoints and laying them out for the reader to absorb and adapt to themselves. The themes during the course of the text are inspirational as they help us question humanity and actions that are believed to be mundane and they lead one to reexamine their lives. The rich allusions throughout the play entertain the reader and draw in additional material effectively deepening the text and adding layers. Hamlet should be studied for the reason that it betters the reader as a person. It helps them grow and expand as a person. Some can argue that Shakespeare has been studied for hundreds of years because of its poetic language, of its rich meaning, or its universal themes that can apply to anyone. But no, it is studied because it helps one improve as a person, it helps one better themselves.