Internal And External Uncertainty In Hamlet

Hamlet Essay

“When you are faced with a decision, make that decision as wisely as possible, then forget it. The moment of absolute certainty never arises.” (Anonymous) William Shakespeare’s, “Hamlet” is a play following the story of the Prince of Denmark and his task of avenging his father’s murder by the hand of his uncle. The overall theme of uncertainty all throughout “Hamlet”, as seen through Ophelia, Laertes, and Hamlet, is the main component leading to the play’s tragic resolution.

One character that displays doubtfulness throughout the play is Ophelia, who creates both internal and external uncertainty through her love for Hamlet and her death. Firstly, as Ophelia speaks to Polonius about Hamlet and their relationship, Ophelia says,

“He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders/ Of his affection to me,” (Shakespeare, Act I, Scene iii, Lines 99-100) and later says, “I do not know, my lord, what I should think.” (Shakespeare, I, iii, 104) This is a clear example of uncertainty, as Ophelia does not know whether Hamlet’s love for her is true, nor does she know if she truly loves Hamlet. Polonius repeats Laertes’ previous advice and tells Ophelia to break off all ties with Hamlet, as he believes he is mad with love and that his vows cannot be trusted. Ophelia is torn between continuing a relationship that is based on uncertainty and being faithful to her father’s command, not seeing Hamlet ever again. This doubtfulness is a driving plot point in Ophelia’s character and leads directly to her death as she hears about her father passing away. Secondly, Ophelia’s death is very controversial, as her plunge into the river can be seen as either accidental or suicidal. Soon after Ophelia is told about her father’s tragic death she is seen walking along a riverbank singing songs and ends up falling into and drowning in the waters below. The reader learns about her death as Gertrude enters the scene bearing sad news, as she states, “There on the pendant boughs her crownet weeds / Clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke, / When down her weedy trophies and herself / Fell in the weeping brook.” (Shakespeare, IV, vii, 169-172) This quote shows that Ophelia’s death may have been an accident, as it says that she fell from a broken branch into the river. Shakespeare personifies the branch, portraying the branch as envious, which gives insight into Ophelia’s death because it shows that it was indeed the branches fault that she fell, making her death an accident. Shakespeare also uses rhyme scheme effectively here, as he uses the words broke and brook to clearly sum up Gertrude’s message of Ophelia’s passing. Although this displays Ophelia’s drowning as accidental, it is also seen as suicidal as one of the gravediggers asks, “Will you ha' the truth on't? If this had not been / a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out o' / Christian burial.” (Shakespeare, V, i, 21-23) As seen through this passage, had it not been for Ophelia’s high rank and status she would not be given a Christian burial, hinting that her death was a result of suicide. Ophelia’s death is a very tragic moment and it is a key element leading to the final scene, in which many characters are killed. Laertes is saddened by the death of Polonius, and is completely distraught by Ophelia’s death, resulting in Laertes taking revenge on Hamlet and killing him. Overall, Ophelia’s uncertainty of her love for Hamlet along with the uncertainty of her death are both crucial points leading to a very tragic ending.
A second character that exemplifies uncertainty at many instances is Laertes.

Firstly, Laertes is built up as a good-hearted, likeable character, only to end up as a cold, untrustworthy, and revengeful murderer. Laertes is seeking approval from Polonius as he enters the scene, and Laertes dismisses Ophelia as he says, “O, fear me not! / I stay too long. But here my father comes. / A double blessing is a double grace; / Occasion smiles upon a second leave.” (Shakespeare, I, iii, 51-54) Laertes admires his family very much and feels as though he requires his father’s permission and acceptance to go off to France. This shows Laertes as a trustworthy character and portrays him rather well. However, the reader later sees that he is the exact opposite, as Polonius sends Reynaldo to spy on him, proving that even his own family cannot rely on him. A second instance during which we see Laertes’ uncertainty is during his fencing match with Hamlet. Laertes comes to a realization that he is not sure if exacting revenge and killing Hamlet is the right thing to do, as he claims, “The foul practice / Hath turn’d itself on me. Lo, here I lie, / Never to rise again. Thy mother’s poison’d. / I can no more. The King, the King’s to blame.” (Shakespeare, V, ii, 313-316) Up until this moment Laertes is furious at Hamlet and will take any actions in order to get vengeance. However, once the Queen falls he realizes the terrible deed that he has conspired to do. Laertes tries to apologize to Hamlet

and tries to gain forgiveness from him, claiming that the king is to blame for every tragedy that has occurred. He is extremely unsure of his own moral compass, if it is ethical to kill someone even if they have harmed those close to him. Laertes’ uncertainty about killing Hamlet causes the deaths of both Claudius and Gertrude because his hesitance allowed Hamlet the opportunity to both deny the poisoned drink that killed Gertrude and stab the King. All in all, Laertes’ character development, as well as his uncertainty of his own morality, contributes greatly to the concluding tragedy.
Lastly, Hamlet is faced with many tough uncertainties, so much so that he contemplates death.

Hamlet is emotional and worried about the play he is to put on, as well as his overall situation, as he comments, “The spirit that I have seen
 / May be the devil: and the devil hath power
 / To assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps / 
Out of my weakness and my melancholy, / As he is very potent with such spirits, / Abuses me to damn me.” (Shakespeare, II, ii, 560-565) Hamlet is in a troublesome situation, as he still has doubts that Claudius killed his father, and moreover he doubts that killing him is the solution. Hamlet’s motives stem from a ghost representing his father that tells him to take revenge on Claudius. However, in this quote Hamlet seeks more evidence than the word of a ghost and considers the idea that the ghost may be the devil, taking advantage of him in his time of weakness. This conveys the theme of appearance versus reality, as the ghost appears to be a positive sign but might be the devil luring him in while he is frail. This uncertainty leads to such a tragic ending, for if Hamlet had faith in the evidence he had gathered he would have murdered Claudius but instead he duels Laertes and many more deaths occur. Second, Hamlet speaks thoughtfully to himself in a soliloquy as he expresses, “To be or not to be: that is the question.” (Shakespeare, III, i, 57) Hamlet is in a state where he is unsure if wants to keep living in his present situation. He is

doubtful of if he should kill Claudius but he also cannot live with himself if he does not avenge his father’s murder. The only concern stopping Hamlet from ending his life is the uncertainty of the afterlife. The afterlife represents a complete unknown and Hamlet is unwilling to take the risk of falling into a more distressing life. Hamlet does not want to kill Claudius but cannot keep living without compensating for his father’s murder. This quote is also a paradox because Hamlet introduces the topic of being or not being, living or dying, which seems to be two opposite elements. However, Hamlet later generalizes the two aspects, supposing that they may be able to exist together. This creates contradiction between the extremes of life and death, and this figurative language is what emphasizes the message and gives the reader a better understanding of Hamlet’s character and internal conflicts. Hamlet’s uncertainty of life or death generates the disastrous ending because only his death or Claudius would resolve his issues, and having taken a neutral stance Hamlet causes catastrophe. Altogether, Hamlet’s significant uncertainties of killing Claudius and living or dying are key components resulting in the deaths of many strong characters.
In conclusion, the constant uncertainties of Ophelia, Laertes, and Hamlet are pivotal factors that contribute to the tragic ending, in which many characters undeservingly pass away. In reality, being doubtful of yourself and your situation can only cause harm. Although it may be the wrong choice, a poor decision is better than none at all.