The Tragedy of Hamlet

Regardless of a person’s age or literary preference it is undeniable that William Shakespeare had a flair for composing dramatic tragedies. Tragedy is a powerful underlining theme which portrays the qualities of the human capacity. In one of Shakespeare’s most brilliant plays, Hamlet, tragedy is portrayed through the protagonist’s constant contemplation of suicide. Shakespeare often alludes to powerful images of death by using pathos and bereavement in life to be inconsequential. In the play, Hamlet, William Shakespeare produces a tragedy which illustrates the suggestion of suicide and the imagery of death as solutions to problems through Ophelia’s demise, the minor characters reflection upon death, and most importantly the protagonist Hamlet.

Firstly, the castle of Elsinore is notable for its evocation of place where it initially begins to shape Ophelia’s character and create Ophelia’s imagination beyond her life of limitations. It is undisputable the love Ophelia and Hamlet once shared in their past relations. This is clearly evident when Hamlet jumps out from hiding at the graveyard and expresses his feelings for Ophelia proclaiming his love. “I lov’d Ophelia: forty thousand brothers could not, with all their quantity of love, make up my sum. What wilt thou do for her?” (5.2. 270-72) Although Polonius, Ophelia’s father, instructs her to never see Hamlet again and to never trust his promises, she continues to honour Hamlet’s love and defend him to her father; “My Lord, he hath importun’d me with love in honourable fashion” (1.3. 110-11). Since, Ophelia is dependent on her father, and the men in her life; she now finds herself alone after his sudden death, which causes her grief and unhappiness (4.5.11-13). Ophelia’s distracted behaviour gives the impression that some great unhappiness has befallen her (Ibid). Claudius suggests it is a result from her father’s death; “Conceit upon her father” (4.5. 43). Ophelia’s abrupt behaviour shows the nature of her mind and her songs suggest tragic irony, since it is paradoxical to the Ophelia that is introduced at the beginning of the play; a sweet and innocent young girl, who obeyed her father and brother (1.3.90-98).

As stated from Hamlet, it shows Ophelia’s change in behaviour after her father’s death.

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...ay Hamlet that the implications of suicide and the imagery of death were vividly evident. This is proven through Ophelia’s demise, the minor characters reflection upon death, and the protagonist Hamlet. From this play, a person starts to realize the relevance of life and the profound changes people go through. It also shows that each person has an internal weakness. William Shakespeare is able to write a significant play to portray the reality of life. Therefore it is apparent that Shakespeare uses a reoccurring symbol of death to illustrate “tragedy” throughout the play.

Works Cited

Samsa, Gregory. “Death and Corruption in Hamlet.” 16 May. 2005. 19 July. 2005

Shakespeare, William. “Hamlet.” Oxford University Press, 1992

Verma, Olivia. “Classical Notes on Hamlet.” 10 Nov. 2001. 19 July. 2005

Works Consulted

Best, Michael. “Death and Morality.” 18 Feb. 2001. 19 July. 2005-07-20

“Hamlet.” Nov.2001. 19 July. 2005

Lawrence, David. “Imagery in Hamlet.” 13 Sept. 2000. 19 July. 2005-07-20

Moriarity, Rob. “Shakespeare Hamlet- An Incurable Disease.” Oct. 2001. 19 July. 2005.

Phillips, Brian. “SparkNote on Shakespeare’s Hamlet.” 1 Sept. 2001. 19 July. 2005.