Hamlet, by William Shakespeare

990 Words2 Pages

What is the appropriate time of mourning for a lost loved one? In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlets mother, Gertrude, mourned the passing of her husband for less than two months. She then decided to marry King Hamlet's brother, Claudius. Hamlets mother's new marriage is what bothers him the most. Hamlet believes Claudius will never live up to the legacy left by his father as the King of Denmark. The social context that is being revealed to the reader through Hamlets soliloquy describes three character traits he possesses: suicidal thoughts, concern for the well-being of his country, confusion towards his father's ghost and whether or not it’s in the countries best interest for him to get revenge. This also portrays how Queen Gertrude’s hasty nuptials after not having a proper time of mourning, goes against society in this era. Furthermore, this foreshadows the vast effect this will have on Hamlet.

One character trait that Hamlet possessed was suicidal thoughts. Hamlet's pure hatred for his mother’s new marriage and the fear of being called a traitor if he confesses to anyone is enough to make anyone feel confused and have self-doubt. Hamlet feels helpless and is the only one who seems to be mourning his father’s recent death. “Fie ont! Ah fie! Ti’s a un weeded garden/ that grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature/ possess it merely” (I.ii.135-137). life is a un weeded garden that grows to seed. Life is a waste of time, that’s why Hamlet is having suicidal tendencies. The garden is unnatural in the state of Denmark is in, with the killing of a king. Rank and gross refer to Claudius. Rank means having an enormous hatred or disgust. Claudius’s manners and morals were gross and rank. Hamlet explains ...

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... his father’s ghost, and whether or not to get revenge. Hamlet is still unsure about the ghost being real or a hallucination from him going mad. This also adds suspicion about Claudius's true motives in marrying Gertrude and his concern for his country of Denmark. Shakespeare opts to let Hamlets character possesses these certain characteristics so early on so that it will set the scene for the rest of the play. I predict Hamlet will become so delirious and mad; he will listen to what the ghost tells him. He only wants the best for his country, but there about to go to war with Norway under the direction of a king who in Hamlets eyes is not worthy. I believe there will be a power struggle between Hamlet and Claudius over the throne and for Hamlet to claim what is rightfully his.

Works Cited

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. New York:signet classic Shakespeare, 1998.

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Hamlet, by William Shakespeare

Hamlet: In Search of His Own Identity

Hamlet is Guilty of Murder

Hamlet as Victim of a Corrupt World

Hamlet and his battle with depression