. It may seem unusual from a traditional perspective, but the result of Hamlet’s revenge is that he fulfills all of his desires from the start of the play, and completes his arc as a character. Of course, the reason that’s unusual to say is that the result of Hamlet’s revenge is the death of his uncle, his mother and himself. However, from his first soliloquy Hamlet outlines his true sentiments. The first his eagerness to die, but hesitation as a result of Christian beliefs.
O, that this too too solid flesh would . Thaw and resolve itself into a dew!
…show more content…
. . Or that the Everlasting had not fix'd . . His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! O God! God! (1.2.129-32) An eagerness he is able to fulfil as he dies, the result of being poisoned and murdered by Laertes and Claudius, “It is here, Hamlet: Hamlet, thou art slain/ No medicine in the world can do thee good;” (5.2.303-4). Furthermore, he also expresses a disdain for both his mother, “She married. O, most wicked speed, to post/ With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!” (1.2.156-7) and his uncle “My father's brother, but no more like my father/ Than I to Hercules” (1.2.152-3). Which is further exacerbated upon confirming his uncle killed his father, “[Claudius] took my father grossly, full of bread” (3.4.80) These disdain is quelled when is mother dies “The drink, the drink! I am poison’d” (5.2.300) and when he to murders his uncle “Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane, Drink off this potion.” (5.2.315-6) In conclusion, through a ghastly triple murder, Hamlet dies satisfying all of his early sentiments. 2.
Through Claudius’s confession and Hamlet’s hesitation Shakespeare strengthens how the contrast between the two opposing characters. As Claudius, a foil to Hamlet, is made to contrast him in his disposition and spirituality. Beginning with his disposition, the difference between Claudius and Hamlet is made clear when provided with the context of the play. Over its course Hamlet, before the violence-heavy duel, kills three people Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. He feels no remorse for this “They are not near my conscience; their defeat/Does by their own insinuation grow:” (5.2.58-9) In contrast Claudius’s speech reflects on how he is unable to move past his murder of his brother, he is full of remorse “What if this cursèd hand/Were thicker than itself with brother’s blood?” (3.3.43-4) There’s a clear difference in the morality of the characters that is being illustrated. Furthermore, Shakespeare also expands on this contrast through the differing approaches Hamlet and Claudius have towards spirituality. Claudius through his speech seems to be certain of what awaits after death “But ’tis not so above./There is no shuffling. There the action lies/In his true nature, and we ourselves compelled,”(3.3.60-2) Yet is unable to reach a higher power “My words fly up, my thoughts remain below./Words without thoughts never to heaven go.” (3.3.96-7) In contrast Hamlet is uncertain “The undiscover'd country from whose bourn/No traveller returns” (3.1.79-80) and is sought out by a higher power in the ghost of his father “My father, in his habit as he lived!/Look, where he goes, even now, out at the portal!” (3.4.135-6) Moreover this also brings me to Hamlet’s hesitation as, it is wasted here by Claudius’s inability to reach a higher power. Hamlet’s reasoning is that he does not wish to send Claudius to heaven as he is confessing, “To take him in the purging of his soul/When he is fit and seasoned for his passage?/No.” (3.3.85-7) But as Claudius is not able to reach
heaven he is still damned and Hamlet plays into his weakness of his inability to act, through his thoughts about action, stifling his own plans. 3. From Claudius’s Speech to Hamlet in Act 1 Scene 2 it appears on the surface that Claudius sympathises with Hamlet, however taken in the context of the play, the speech holds a larger machiavellian element. Claudius throughout the speech tries to reassure and comfort Hamlet. He begins by complimenting him “'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet,/To give these mourning duties to your father:” (1.2.87-8) And encourages Hamlet to move on “But to persever/In obstinate condolement is a course/Of impious stubbornness. 'Tis unmanly grief.” (1.2.92-4) Saying that he loves him “And with no less nobility of love/Than that which dearest father bears his son/Do I impart toward you.” (1.2.110-2) Along with that Hamlet should stay by his side “And we beseech you, bend you to remain/Here in the cheer and comfort of our eye,” (1.2.115-6) Which is all incontrovertible on the surface, but provided the information from later in the play that Claudius killed Hamlet’s father, and is a capable manipulator, Laertes serves as a prime example, the speech becomes far more sinister. A murderer would not want a continued interest with their victim as Hamlet does with his father, so Claudius tries to have Hamlet move on. Claudius says he loves Hamlet, but he’s surely lying as he schemes to have him killed soon after. Claudius knows that Hamlet is heir to the throne him, and that the political situation is unstable in Denmark, so he convinces Hamlet to stay with him under his watch. Claudius is effectively manipulating Hamlet for his own self-interest. As such it’s apparent that Claudius sees Hamlet as manipulable, and needing manipulation. It’s only logical to try and keep powerful people by your side, and as Claudius says later that he can’t easily kill him as a result of “the great love the general gender bear him;” (5.7.18). In conclusion Claudius from his speech appears affectionate, but in reality sees Hamlet as a well of influence to be tapped and controlled. 4. The importance of Hamlet’s graveyard scene is in the statement Shakespeare’s makes with it. In regards to the scene’s importance to the plot, it acts as a meeting point for several characters, most importantly Hamlet and Laertes, so that they can confront one another and establish the precedent for the duel that will take place in the next scene. However, Shakespeare could have placed that scene anywhere, whether it be at the castle or at a port, if the intention was to simply serve the plot. Shakespeare sets the scene in a graveyard as that setting is the most conducive to expanding upon and reinforcing the theme of death within the play, and allowing him the ability to demonstrate how it removes both agency and status from us all. Beginning with a counterpoint to his argument Shakespeare demonstrates how Ophelia is to receive a Christian burial in spite of her suicide, as the result of her class, “therefore make her grave/straight: the crowner hath sat on her, and finds it/Christian burial.” (5.1.3-5) Although this may seem unusual Shakespeare is proposing this argument to his audience only to counter it soon after with the discussion between Hamlet and Horatio. By having Hamlet examine the condition of Alexander “Alexander died, Alexander was buried,/Alexander returneth into dust; the dust is earth; of/earth we make loam;” (5.1.210-2) Shakespeare in effect through the juxtaposition of these two cases, is making the point that even in the present with a disparity between burials in part due to the class system in place, in the future all those burials, and corpses will be reduced to the same state, that of dust. That’s why even though Hamlet insults the gravedigger and demonstrates how the classes divide them, both Hamlet and the gravedigger will nonetheless both become but dust. Even though Hamlet and Laertes will inevitably kill one another in there duel, and are aflame with their passion, none of it matters as both will be reduced to dust. In conclusion, the importance in the graveyard scene is in the message it provides, that death is an equal punishment to us all.
Claudius feels much guilt about the death of his brother he also faces the desires of power. The guilt of his brother death drives Claudius to be on his toes around the kingdom. He remains very scared that someone like Hamlet Jr. might avenge his father’s death. Hamlet Jr. chooses to use a play to test Claudius’s guilt. He rewrites parts of the play to replicate the story voiced by the ghost. Hamlet Jr. watches Claudius carefully during the performance, and the king leaves during it (Gale). Claudius gets up and leaves because he cannot bear to see the reenactment of how he killed his own brother. The internal conflict of the guilt about his brother eats Claudius up and he goes to repent for the corrupt act he has done: “My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent,/ And like a man to double business bound,/ I stand in pause where I shall first begin,/ And neglect; what if this cursed hand,/Were thicker than itself with brothers blood” (3.3.40-45). Claudius repents but knows his words will mean nothing to the heavens because Claudius is an insincere being whom
One of Hamlet’s flaws is that he over thinks things a lot and it is first shown the most at the prayer scene with Claudius. Once Hamlet sees how Claudius reacts to the play he knows that Claudius killed his father and that the ghost was right, he has a chance to kill him and doesn’t take it . His only proof was the ghost and even though others saw the ghost no one else heard it talk except Hamlet. Hamlet was also considering a lot of other things at this time, like how if he killed Claudius now Claudius would be free of sin and would go to heaven. He was also thinking if his father didn’t get to die free of sin it wouldn’t be fair for Claudius to die free of sin either, which shows how vengeful Hamlet’s character is. At the same time, Hamlet has morals and understands the consequences so that’s why it’s harder for him to perform the act . After a l...
Claudius’s chief concerns about Hamlet are that his life would have been in danger; his safety. Claudius is concerned that Hamlet would have killed him instead of Polonius, if he was there at that time. He was scared when he heard the news of Hamlet killing Polonius thinking it was him behind the tapestry. With relief and fear, Claudius tells Gertrude, “O heavy deed! It had been so with us, had we been there” (4.1.13-14). Claudius is relieved that he was not murdered by Hamlet. This contributed to character development because this shows us that Hamlet is ready to take revenge, since in the beginning he was confused and afraid, but now has taken the steps to take revenge. Character development can be seen in Claudius too because now we know that Claudius is afraid of the consequences, he will be receiving for the crime he has done.
Shakespeare opens the scene with “O my offence is rank, it smells to heaven.” This ties in with the inner corruption where in the first three lines of the soliloquy, Claudius admits to the murdering his brother and figures that he cannot bring himself to pray about it because he has limited regret and enjoyed the outcome of his sins. Shakespeare uses a biblical Allusion about Cain and Abel to reveal that the king really did kill his own brother out of jealousy. “Pray can I not.” With Shakespeare’s use of transposition, Claudius admits to not being able to pray even though he so desperately wants to. The line “…Though inclination be as sharp as will” (line 43) follows right after where he is faced with two contrasting decisions. With the use of alliteration and excessive emphasis on the line, Shakespeare stresses Claudius’ commitment to two courses of action. Like many characters in Hamlet, Claudius struggles with finding a balance between emotion and reason. He admits this to himself in lines 46 and 47 that he simply lost control of the situation and cannot figure out what to do. With the question on whether to follow his desires or give it all up for forgiveness and possible peace of mind. In line 50, he wonders whether there’s enough forgiveness to cleanse his soul and make it “white as snow” wanting
William Shakespeare’s Hamlet revolves around Hamlet’s quest to avenge his father’s murder. Claudius’ first speech as King at the beginning of Scene 2, Act 1 introduces the themes of hierarchy, incest and appearance versus reality and plays the crucial role of revealing Claudius’ character as part of the exposition. The audience is left skeptical after Horatio’s questioning of King Hamlet’s ghost in the first scene of the play. By placing Claudius’ pompous speech immediately after the frightening appearance of Hamlet’s ghost, Shakespeare contrasts the mournful atmosphere in Denmark to the fanfare at the palace and makes a statement about Claudius’ hypocrisy. Through diction, doubling and figurative language, Shakespeare reveals Claudius to be a self centered, hypocritical, manipulative and commanding politician.
Hamlet wrote a short scene depicting how the late King Hamlet was murdered, and requests that the visiting players preform this scene in the presence of the King. When the King abruptly leaves before the closing curtain; Hamlet believes that it is a sign of guilt. Ready to slaughter the King after this revelation, Hamlet stealthy enters behind Claudius while the man is alone, with his sworn drawn. Though before he strikes Hamlet takes notice that Claudius is praying. Quickly Hamlet makes the justification that if Claudius was slaughtered while upon his knees repenting then his soul would rise to heaven, “And so he goes to heaven,” (3.3.79). Postponing his revenge until the time when Claudius was, “When he is drunk asleep, or in rage./Or in th’ pleasure of his bed,/ At game a-swearing, or about some act/That has ...
Furthermore, it is possible to propose that Shakespeare merely uses this scene to provoke irritation and consequently suspense from the audience. If Hamlet wasn’t given this opportunity to kill Claudius we would have not this insight into Hamlet’s indecisiveness, possible cowardice and inability to kill Claudius in cold blood. It is probable to suggest that through this soliloquy we are shown that Hamlet’s initial passion for revenge after the Ghost’s visitation has faded as the play progresses to merely thinking about killing Claudius.
Hamlet’s characterization of Claudius isn’t fair and is biased as a result of his grief and the image he holds up in his mind of his dead father. He seems to be caught up in the differences between Claudius and Old Hamlet; he doesn’t see that for all his damning of Claudius, he is much more like the new King in personality and character than he ever was like his dead father who he elevated to status of god on earth. In Hamlet’s failing to see Claudius as anything but an underhanded, murderous tyrant, Shakespeare gives the audience an opportunity to see all sides of the new King through other characters and lets the audience make up their mind as to whether Hamlet is right or wrong. In a way, Shakespeare ends up showing the stark humanity in Claudius, both his capacity for good and evil.
William Shakespeare's Hamlet is a play that tells of a young man, Hamlet, who wanted revenge for the death of his father. After speaking with his father's spirit, Hamlet was led to believe that the person who murdered his father was his uncle, Claudius. Claudius kills his brother mainly because of jealousy, the crown, the queen and a hatred of his brother. Therefore Claudius is guilty of the murder of his brother.
As illustrated through his speeches and soliloquies Hamlet has the mind of a true thinker. Reinacting the death of his father in front of Claudius was in itself a wonderful idea. Although he may have conceived shcemes such as this, his mind was holding him back at the same time. His need to analyze and prove everythin certain drew his time of action farther and farther away. Hamlet continuously doubted himself and whether or not the action that he wanted to take was justifiable. The visit that Hamlet recieves from his dead father makes the reader think that it is Hamlet's time to go and seek revenge. This is notthe case. Hamlet does seem eager to try and take the life of Claudius in the name of his father, but before he can do so he has a notion, what if that was not my father, but an evil apparition sending me on the wrong path? This shows that even with substantial evidence of Claudius' deeds, Hamlet's mind is not content.
Revenge almost always has the makings of an intriguing and tragic story. William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a perfect example of how revenge unfolds and what it unveils. The play tells the story of Hamlet, the prince of Denmark. Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle, marries his mother soon after his father’s death. Hamlet greatly disapproves of the hasty marriage and suspects foul play. His suspicions are confirmed when the ghost of his father appears and tells him that Claudius murdered him. Hamlet’s father asks him to take revenge upon Claudius, and soon everything takes a drastic change. The courses of revenge throughout Hamlet surround each character with corruption, obsession, and fatality.
Hamlet was told by the ghost of king hamlet to get back at Claudius for his death, or his soul will travel on earth forever. Even before hamlet knew about Claudius killing his father he had problems. It made hamlet mad that his mother would marry so fast and with his uncle. What Claudius did was an outrageous, back stabbing, and unbelievable thing. It was clearly an act of jealousy for his brother's throne and the wife. Claudius did pay back for his actions. Claudius lost his wife, his messenger, and died and even after his death kept loosing because he lost his castle to Fortinbras.
... the only way to honour his father Polonius is by killing Hamlet. In addition, as Claudius reads the letter from Hamlet to Laertes he says “'Tis Hamlet’s character. “Naked” And in a postscript here, he says “alone.” Can you advise me?” (IV, VII, 52-53). This shows that Claudius takes advantage of Hamlet’s return alone as an opportunity for Laertes to kill him. Through Claudius’s actions the readers observe how he deceives Laertes into killing Hamlet for his own benefit without getting blood on his hands. Furthermore, Claudius’ desperation to kill Hamlet leads to him losing sight of what is important, which is being the king of Denmark, what he originally wanted, instead the lies he told and the manipulation he spread is now taking over. To conclude, it is evident through the play that the words and actions of Claudius have only lead to the spread of deception.
Once Hamlet has learned of his father’s death, he is faced with a difficult question: should he succumb to the social influence of avenging his father’s death? The Ghost tells Hamlet to “revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (1.5.31) upon which Hamlet swears to “remember” (1.5.118). Hamlet’s immediate response to this command of avenging his father’s death is reluctance. Hamlet displays his reluctance by deciding to test the validity of what the Ghost has told him by setting up a “play something like the murder of (his) father’s” (2.2.624) for Claudius. Hamlet will then “observe his looks” (2.2.625) and “if he do blench” (2.2.626) Hamlet will know that he must avenge his father’s death. In the course of Hamlet avenging his father’s death, he is very hesitant, “thinking too precisely on the event” (4.4.43). “Now might I do it…and he goes to heaven…No” (3.3.77-79) and Hamlet decides to kill Claudius while “he is drunk asleep, or in his rage, or in th’ incestuous pleasure of his bed” (3.3.94-95). As seen here, Hamlet’s contradicting thought that Claudius “goes to heaven” (3.3.79) influences him to change his plans for revenge. Hamlet eventually realizes that he must avenge his father’s death and states “from this time forth my thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth” (4.4.69). From this, Hamlet has succumbed to the social influence and has vowed to avenge his father’s death.
... be overstepping the boundaries of morality. Not only does Hamlet want to kill Claudius, but he also wants to damn his soul. This contrasts greatly with Claudius’ act of murder, which is carried out with no preference for the victim’s afterlife. As a result of Hamlet’s tendency to over-think situations, his mission of vengeance is once again delayed.