Internal and External Conflict in Hamlet

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In the drama script ‘Hamlet’, written by William Shakespeare, conflict, both internal and external, was important to the text in a variety of ways. Internal conflict enabled the character development of Hamlet to take place, showing his nature rich in procrastination as he developed from a cowardly griever to a confident man no longer fearful of the unknown. This character development illustrates the main themes of revenge, good vs. evil, and more. Conflict in this text provides the main protagonist (Hamlet) with various catalysts that move the plot along and allow peace to be restored, completing the cycle of the narrative structure. The conflict that the troubled young man experiences can be applied to many aspects of real life and is reflected in nearly everyone’s life processes at some point. As a result the reader can relate to these conflicts and sympathise with Hamlet, learning from his mistakes as he faces his own consequences. The internal conflict that Hamlet experienced throughout the text was essential in the enabling of his character to develop from his initial persona ...

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