Archetypal Lens Essay On Hamlet

From 1588 through 1603 this marks history as the Elizabethan era. Known for its work of art, military actions, religious reform and a time in England’s growth, Queen Elizabeth rule has been one of the most efficient and rememberable of all Englands rulers. During Elizabeths rule a new and soon famous writer emerged. His names was William Shakespeare (1564-1616) Shakespeare has produced loads of sonnets and plays one being Hamlet. Hamlet can be seen though the Psychological and Archetypal lens.
Hamlet being the twenty play Shakespeare wrote in his line of work, Hamlet starts off in Elsinore, Denmark. Where a deceased King who we later find out its the father of Hamlet who has been seen haunting the castle. He is haunting the castle because

Claudius his brother murdered him to get the throne. Hamlet at this time is upset himself because his mother Gertrude just married another man shortly after her husbands death. The ghost than claims to be Hamlet’s fathers spirt and he tells Hamlet that his step father is the one who actually murdered him and told him to seek revenge of his death. This give the reader a huge sign right here to note that something is going to happen to Hamlet Psychologically.
“Ghost: If thou didst ever thy dear father love—
Hamlet: O God!
Ghost: Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.
Hamlet: Murder! Haste me to know't, that I, with wings as swift As meditation or the thoughts of love” (Act One, Scene One, Page 21)
By the tone in his voice you can tell that he was surprised to hear this from his father knowing he wasn't capable of doing such a task.

From this point the reader can pick up hints that Hamlet is going to go back and forth in his mind. Making him the ego. Ego is described as “struggles to achieve a balance between the id and the superego.” (Critical Lens Sheet Page 6) Which later one can see very clear that Hamlet has became indecisive with his “To be, or not to be? That is the question-Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer” (Act 3, Scene 1, Page 63) Hamlet being shady throws on a play that reenacts how his father was murder and who else was in the audience than the murderer himself, Claudius. Hamlet than tries to kill Claudius but accidentally kills Ophelia’s father. Claudius sends Hamlet to England when on the way he spots the Prince of Norway marching towards Denmark giving him the idea to go back to murder him. Again showing how he is on a metaphorical teeter totter. Hamlet says “How stand I then, That have a father kill'd, a mother stain'd, while, to my shame, I see The imminent death of twenty thousand men, Go to their graves like beds, fight for a plot Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause, Which is not tomb enough and continent To hide the slain? O, from this time forth, My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!” (Act IV, Scene 4 , Page 99) Eventually when he returns Claudius convinces Laertes (Ophelia’s brother) to fight Hamlet and will have poison as a

back up. While watching Claudius plan unfold his wife drinks the poisoned wine and Hamlet gets cut with the poison sword and than wounds Laertes and then stabs Claudius. All these events leading up to his death shows that he is very indecisive. Is the ghost really his father or the devil? “What is going to happen to him after he kills a man” (Marcus Geduld).
Every great story or play have something in common, Archetypes.

“Because they draw on feelings, situations, concerns, and issues that have been a part of the human condition in every generation” (Critical Lens Sheet Page 9) Hamlet is no acceptation to this style. Starting with Hamlet he would be know as the hero. Though he does not go on an epic adventure he does preform deeds to bring honor to his father and goes on a “quest” to achieve his goal. Horatio even says “ Dared to the combat; in which our valiant Hamlet” (Act 1 Scene 1 Page 9) calling Hamlet valiant or “a courage and or determination human” (dicitinary.com) No story would be complete without the typical Villain role and Claudius fits it perfectly. “To provide conflict with the protagonist” (Critical Lens Sheet Page 10) Right from the beginning of Hamlet and his father talking his father says “The serpent that did sting thy father's life Now wears his crown.” (Act I scene 5, Page 29) Suggestion that Claudius murdered him. If that wasn't enough Claudius even tells Laertes to start a duel. “Of your dear father's death, is't writ in your revenge.” (Act IV Scene 5, Page 105) Claudius always making things difficult for our hero Hamlet. Someone who is on Hamlet side is Horatio one of his friends who would be known as the wiseman through the Archetypal lens. He attempts to stop Hamlet from seeking revenge. He would be known as the voice of reason in Hamlet decision. Marcellus talks about Horatio by saying “Thou art a

scholar; speak to it, Horatio.” (Act I Scene I page 7) Giving the reader proof that he knows what he’s talking about. Not only is Horatio the wiseman he can also be seen in the Archetypal lens as “the friend” since friends help each other and thats what Horatio does for Hamlet. Horatio says “My lord, I came to see your father's funeral.” (Act I Scene I page 16) As any friend would go to their fathers funeral trying to help the situation.
Willam Shakespeare plays are known for the use of Archetypes and how his characters act Psychologically. From his work of two star crossed lover, to be or not to be a man can die but once Willam Shakespeare pieces are one of the many things that define the Elizabethan era.