Love Loss And The Court Of King Claudius

Love, Loss, and the Court of King Claudius

Shakespeare worked with the simplest of principals, writing at the mind’s own

speed, using everything he read, but reworking it first, and depending upon characters for

the defining trait or flaw. One theme which constantly emerges throughout Hamlet is the

theme of love and loss, revealed by the characters of Hamlet, Laertes, and Ophelia.

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is a young man subjected to much heart ache in the

course of this play. His first loss being the suspicious death of Hamlet’s beloved and

respected father, Hamlet Sr. Even Hamlet’s Uncle/Step-father, King Claudius, noted in

speaking with young Hamlet that his mourning was serious. “’Tis sweet and

commendable in your nature,” says Caludius of Hamlet’s behavior, “. . .But to persevere

in obstinate condolement is a course of impious stubbornness. ‘Tis unmanly grief. . .”

(Act I, Scene II, lines 90-98). Hamlet was heartbroken at the loss of his father, which was

reflected in his outlook on life. He regarded Denmark as a prison and spoke to

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of having bad dreams. Unfortunately Act I is not the only

time where young Hamlet expresses pain from love and loss. Although he is cruel and

unkind to Ophelia in their meetings of both Act III, Scenes I and II, he is only expressing

the frustration that has built up inside of him toward all women, and directed it at

Ophelia because she was available. Hamlet had not ceased to love her. He explains his

true feelings for Ophelia upon arrival at her burial, completely shocked that his beloved

maid has died, saying, “What is he whose grief bears such an emphasis, whose phase of

sorrow conjures the wand’ring stars and makes them stand like wonder-wounded hearers?

This is I,” (Act V, Scene I, lines 267-271). He then goes on to say he would do anything to

prove his love, including be buried with her. Hamlet lost yet another person dear to him,

his lover, fair Ophelia.

Hamlet is only one character in the play who experiences love and loss. Ophelia is

another. In Act III, Scene IV, after the performance of The Mouse Trap and The Murder of

Gonzago for the royal court, Hamlet mistakenly kills Polonius, the father of Ophelia and

Laertes. Ophelia already believed she had lost the affections of her Hamlet due to their

dialogue from Act III, Scenes I and II. She had sacrificed his love because her father and

brother had ordered her to turn him away. And now, to learn that her respected father,