Antiheroism In Hamlet Antiheroism has always been an interesting aspect of a character that authors have chosen to illustrate. In literature, there has been countless antiheroic characters, from Randle McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Allie Fox in The Mosquito Coast, to others as famous as Robin Hood and ... By literary definition, an antihero is the "hero" of the play or novel, but has negative attributes which separate him or her from the classic hero such as Superman. Such negative aspects may include a violent nature, use of coarse language, or self serving interests which may inadvertently depict the protagonist as a hero since the result of serving those interests may be the betterment of society or an environment. In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, the protagonist, Hamlet, is depicted as an antihero. One main factor which gives Hamlet such a label is that he draws sympathy, as well as admiration, from the reader since Hamlet feels the pain of losing his father along with the burden and obstacles in avenging his murder. Act four places a special emphasis on Hamlet's intelligence. In scene two, Hamlet is very insolent and rude towards Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with such phrases as, That I can keep your counsel and not, mine own. Beside, to be demanded of a sponge, what replication should be made by the son of a king? (IV, ii, 12-14) The reference to the sponge reflects the fact that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are easily ordered by the king and do not have minds of their own. Hamlet does not like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern since they are servants of the Claudius, Hamlet's mortal enemy. The reader does not like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern either which causes the reader to side with Hamlet. Another incident of Hamlet's high intelligence is shown when he Hamlet tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, I am glad of it: a knavish sleeps in a foolish ear. (IV, ii, 24-25) This statement leaves Rosencrantz and Guildenstern more or less confused. Hamlet is clearly more clever than the two of them combined and is able to toy with them.Hamlet has an excellent command of the language and because of it, can use words to the point that those around him will not understand and may label him as crazy. Hamlet shows another example of his cleverness, this time towards Claudius, when he says, I see a cherub that sees them. But, come; for England! Farewell, dear mother. (IV, iii, 49-50) The cherub, or the angel, gives Hamlet a sense of superiority over Claudius. Having an angel at one's side would be a definite sign of power, which is exactly what Hamlet tries to maintain over Claudius in their constant power struggle. Just when Claudius thinks he controls Hamlet, it is really Hamlet who has the upper hand over Claudius. There are very strong philosophical references made by Hamlet in this act regarding life and death. Hamlet tells Claudius, Your worm is your only emperor for diet: we fat all creatures else to fat us, and we fat ourselves for maggots: your fat king and your lean beggar is but variable service, two dishes, but to one table: that's the end. (IV, iii, 21-26) This statement id a reference to the food chain, and in turn, a reflection on the meaning of life. It illustrates the equality of men in that whether one is born to be a king or a beggar, when one dies, we are all equal. Worms and maggots do not treat anybody differently once one is dead and buried. The final scene draws the greatest sympathy towards Hamlet even though he is not even in the scene. The forces of Claudius and Laertes have combined against Hamlet. Claudius states, To an exploit now ripe in my device, Under the which he shall not choose but fall, And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe; But even his mother shall unchange the practice, And call it accident. (IV, vii, 65-69) Claudius is willing to undertake any measures necessary to eliminate Hamlet, to the point that it does not matter whether or not it hurts Gertrude in any way. This scene depicts Hamlet as the victim, much like two bullies picking on a smaller child in school, since the king, with the aid of Laertes, is out to kill Hamlet, this time with a passion. Much like a political revolutionary, Hamlet has the system against him and is facing death because of his loyalty and honour towards his father. The fact that Hamlet's life is not indeed in jeopardy attributes to his "hero" status. In addition, his only fault is the desire to avenge his father's murder, an act considered completely honourable by the reader. However, Hamlet's negative attributes include his rudeness towards others, including the fair Ophelia, and a violent nature as shown when he kills Polonius, albeit accidently, and shows no remorse, causing a reclassification from the classic hero, to the more appropriate label of antihero.
Even though Hamlet is a prince, he has little control over the course of his life. In that time many things were decided for the princes and princesses such as their education and even who they married. This was more or less the normal way of life for a child of the monarch. But in the case of Hamlet, any of the control he thought he had, fell away with the murder of his father. Having his father, the king, be killed by his own brother, sent Hamlet into a state of feeling helpless and out of control. Cooped up in a palace with no real outlet, he tries to control at least one aspect of his life. Hamlet deliberately toys with Ophelia's emotions in order to feel in control of something since he cannot control the situation with Claudius.
The most dramatic character earns himself one of the most dramatic deaths. Hamlet is stabbed with the poisoned blade trying to avenge his father. In taking up arms against Laertes, Hamlet is actually indirectly dueling Claudius. He continuously shies away from actually killing Claudius, so the duel lets him display his hatred and feel fulfilled in his mission to kill without actually acting. Hamlet can feel secure in knowing that this fight was not actually initiated by himself, therefore removing him from moral turmoil. The duel lets him show aggression and hatred towards Claudius’ “side” without having to directly confront him. The reason that Hamlet needs this vengeance is fuelled by his love for his father. Hamlet loved the old king, and at his death was more depressed than anyone. He even described his father as “So excellent a king, that was to this Hyperion to a satyr; so loving to my mother” (I.II.143-144). Hamlet greatly admires the love that his mother and
During the play, Hamlet seems to be one of the most rational thinkers in the text. The ill marriage to Hamlet’s mother Gertrude gives Hamlet more reason to disagree and act out against Claudius and his government. It was Hamlet’s “Mouse trap” that provides the standard as being one of his most aggressive acts through the text. His reinacting of King Hamlet’s death in front of Claudius seems to be the ideal concept behind trying to force Claudius into feeling guilty over what he has done. It seems that Hamlet does such a thing so that he is given more reason to actually act out on the desires he has of killing Claudius. Prior to this excerpt in the text, it is Hamlet’s conscience and mind that keeps him hesitating and making excuses for what he truly wants to do. ...
Hamlet first displays superior intelligence when developing calculated, and intricate schemes that eventually lead to his victory over Claudius. Hamlet manages to fool everybody with his false delirium, which is his most significant tactic throughout the entire play. As Gertrude and Hamlet stand discussing the matter of his madness, Hamlet’s actions cause Gertrude great upset, wherein she cries, “This very coinage of your brain. This bodiless creation ecstasy/ Is very cunning in” (III.iv.139-141). It can be noted that Hamlet possesses the intelligence necessary to maintain a state of fictional madness, authentic enou...
“Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted color off, and let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark. Do not forever with thy vailed lids seek for thy noble father in the dust. Thou know’st ‘tis common; all that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity.” ( 1;2. 70-75 )
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.
Shakespeare uses metaphors and imagery to convey the message that we live to feed the worms. Hamlet is explaining to Claudius that Polonius is at dinner, not dinner which he is eating “but where he is eaten”. Hamlet is comparing the king to a beggar saying that he is the same in a way that they are “two dishes, but to one table”. The king is going to end up like the beggar, dead and being fed to the worms. The beggar will eat the fish that eats the worm that ate the king, therefore the king has now been moved through the bowels of a beggar. Hamlet is simply saying that the king is not all that, he will die like everyone else and go throught the burden of life like everyone else. The worm is the “only emperor” because he eats everything and
When you play a part or a role to disguise your true character it harms you in the end. Hamlet’s antic disposition was a tragic error on his part because it let to his eventual demise. Hamlet displays the antic disposition in order to fool Claudius, although Claudius is the only character to not be fooled. When Hamlet denies Ophelia his love, she goes mad and takes her life. Hamlet becomes confused as to whether he is insane or not. For these reasons, Hamlet’s decision to portray an antic disposition is a tragic error.
Prince Hamlet on the other hand, showed heroic skills by putting others first. He kept his pain to himself and didn’t want to cause any difficulties with the townspeople or family. He shows this self-sacrifice ability once again when King Claudius tried to convince him to stay at home, rather than going away to school. He says "You are most immediate to our throne… For your intent In going back to school in Wittenberg, It is most retrograde to our desire, And we beseech you, bend you to remain Here in the cheer and comfort of our eye."
While the play revolves around Hamlet, Hamlet is not the protagonist. Rather, he is like the main characters in The Day of the Jackal or Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in that he is really the antagonist or contra vida with which the audience finds itself sympathizing. This is most clearly evidenced in the ease with which Hamlet is able to kill innocent characters and subsequently disregard his actions. Examples of this are the time he kills Polonius and then lightheartedly criticizes himself for killing the wrong person and the time he sends his innocent childhood friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to their deaths because their disloyalty displeased him. In addition, Hamlet also dismisses the death of his love, Ophelia, when she drowns in the river.
Hamlet's problem is not exact; it cannot be pinpointed. In fact, Hamlet has numerous problems that contribute to his dilemma. The first of these problems is the appearance of King Hamlet's ghost to his son, Hamlet. Hamlet's morality adds a great deal to his delay in murdering the current king, Claudius. One of Hamlet's biggest drawbacks is that he tends to think things out too much. Hamlet does not act on instinct; however, he makes certain that every action is premeditated. Hamlet suffers a great deal from melancholy; this in turn causes him to constantly second guess himself. The Ghost is the main cause of Hamlet's melancholy. Also, Hamlet's melancholy helps to clear up certain aspects of the play. These are just a few of the problems that Hamlet encounters throughout his ordeal.
Tragic death plays a really big role in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Hamlet often considers death in many different perspectives, and definitely obsesses with the idea more so after his fathers’ death. Hamlet’s soliloquy is one of the most famous in literature, “To be or not to be, that is the question…” Hamlet’s dilemma is the pain of life that he must endure or the uncertainty of death. From the beginning of the play to the very last scene, the fascination between life and death plays a role throughout. Hamlet is troubled through the play after realizing that his uncle was the one who murdered his father and is now married to his mother. He wants to avenge Hamlet Sr. death and kill Claudius but feels that killing himself would be an easier resolution. After the death of his murdered father and appearance at his funeral, Hamlet will not leave anywhere without making the statement of his all black attire on the inside and out. The turn of events throughout the play only help the reader understand the debt of each character and their specific role to Hamlet and to the story in regards to life and death.
... 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.
There are many reasons why Hamlet had his downfall. One being his decision to keeping the murder of his father a secret. Another one being the betrayals of his closest friends. Perhaps if Guildenstern or Rosencrantz had been there for Hamlet, to rely and place trust upon, he might not had to fell so alone. A little sympathy from his girlfriend Ophelia, and even his mother Gertrude would have been nice as well. Unfortunately Ophelia is held back from Hamlet, due to her father. Gertrude marries his uncle Claudius, who is responsible for his fathers death, and is looking to kill him next. And Guildenstern and Rosencrantz are ordered by Claudius to spy on Hamlet, and betray him as a friend.
Hamlet starts of what may be considered a tragic hero but his fear and overthinking led to being influenced by the corruption around him he was neither strong nor had characteristics that position him above the average person. In every situation he got into he reacted like a normal person rather then a hero. All his actions were flawed because of his problem with those around him allowing the evilness of others to grow inside of him changing him completely. His death was inevitable it was accumulation of his mistakes.