Changes in Hamlet

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Recommended: The psychological approach in the play Hamlet

Hamlet by William Shakespeare is one of the world’s most revered literature. The main character, Hamlet, is arguably one of the most intriguing characters the playwright ever developed. Hamlet is daring, philosophical, mentally unstable at times, and clever. Throughout the play though, these characteristics change and/or diminish as Hamlet is put through a plethora of unfortunate events. His father is murdered by Claudius, his mother soon after marries Claudius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern betray him, and his girlfriend most likely commits suicide. While Hamlet is incredibly philosophical, indecisive, and full of resentment in the beginning of the play, he becomes violent, instinctive, caring and sympathetic towards the end of the play. People all around the world are familiar with the “To be or not to be” speech. Although some might not realize it is a speech by Hamlet, they do realize how powerful those lines are. Those lines show the mark of a great philosopher, and this is precisely what Hamlet is. Because Hamlet is such a fantastic philosopher at the start of the play, it leads him to what some believe is his downfall. The fact that perhaps he thinks too much on the people and incidents surrounding him is really what pulls him down. He spends an excessive amount of his day thinking about every aspect of every event. Hamlet sees a ghost of his father and learns that he was killed by his own brother, Claudius. This is when Hamlet falls into an ocean of thought. The philosopher devises ways to unmask his step father to his mother and Denmark and obtain justice and revenge for his father’s smeared death. “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so” (Shakespeare, 40). Hamlet realizes what is considered goo... ... middle of paper ... ...dness” (Shakespeare, 116). Before Hamlet and Laertes dueled, Hamlet asked Laertes if he can forgive him for his crime. Hamlet also admits to his insanity and hopes Laertes can understand. This shows that by the end of the play, his mind is fine again and he can function properly. Hamlet is a model philosopher because his thoughts go to depths many others fail to reach. He not only chews at the problem, but digests it well enough so he can fully understand something. Unfortunately, he dwelled on the problem for too long and was not able to execute his plan accordingly. From being indecisive to instinctive, he avenged his father but also hurt himself. Hamlet was a man full of resentment and hatred towards his mother, but at the end he loved her and cared for her. Because he went through so many tragic events, he became a completely changed person when they were over.

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