Many things contribute to the fact that Hamlet gets himself in trouble. It is not Hamlet’s poor attitude that gets him in trouble, but the way he over analyzes every situation and event. The first thing is when the ghost of Hamlet’s father tells him about his uncle’s betrayal towards him. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern spy on him, which makes Hamlet examine their every move. Polonius sets up deceiving and devious plans toward Hamlet, making him act mad. Hamlet’s Mom, Gertrude, displeases Hamlet by marrying Claudius so quickly after his father’s so called “accidental death”. Hamlet does not know how to deal with this situation, so he thinks about what to do for many weeks. To deal with all of the problems, Hamlet decides to put on his “antic disposition” to fool those around him. In this essay I will investigate the behavior and the actions that the Ghost, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Polonius, Laertes, and Gertrude do, to make Hamlet acted the way he does.
Hamlet is in shock when he is told his father has died. He has no reason but to believe that his death was accidental, until he speaks with the ghost of his father. He believes the appearance of the ghost raises a suspicious question about his death. “My father’s spirit- in arms! All is not well” (I;ii;255-256). The ghost explains to Hamlet that Claudius murdered him and that he would like Hamlet to avenge his death. “Revenge his foul most unnatural murder” (I;v;75). The ghost also tells Hamlet that Claudius has seduced Gertrude. He says that Hamlet is not to take action against his mother. ” Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive against thy mother aught: leave her to heaven and to those thorns that in her bosom lodge, to prick and sting her” (I;v’84-87). But Hamlet does not follow that order. He intends to ask his mother if she has betrayed his father. “Soft, now to my mother, O’heart, lose not thy nature, lot not ever the soul of Nero enter this firm bosom” (III;ii;362-364). Hamlet gets into a big argument with Gertrude and ends up killing Polonius, thinking it was Claudius behind the curtain. Hamlet defends himself by telling his mother what he did, is no less terrible than her marrying Claudius. “A bloody deed almost as bad, good mother, as killing a king, and marry with his brother” (III;iv;29-30).
Melancholy in Hamlet
Melancholy in Hamlet
Melancholy has caused many to look down on the world and themselves, driving themselves to suicide or treating their life like it has no meaning. Hamlet is a lonely and melancholic soul who doesn’t think highly of women or his own life. Melancholy forms the basis of Hamlet’s character starting with the moment he arrives in Denmark and hitting a low note when Ophelia dies. Thoughts of suicide loomed throughout the play commencing with the news of old Hamlet’s death and showing in his “To be or not to be” soliloquy. Throughout the entire play, Hamlet has various opinions and views, which show how he disrespects women, especially the one he should love the most, his mother. All of these character traits of Hamlet are well described by Shakespeare in every line spoken by Hamlet. These traits show the reader who the real Hamlet is, during the time that hamlet himself does now know who he is.
Melancholy is the first emotion we see in Hamlet. Upon his arrival in Denmark, Hamlet receives the tragic news that his father died. When he arrives, he realises that Denmark has changed in a way that doesn’t please him. ” ‘Tis an unweeded garden that grows to seed. Things rank and gross in nature possess it merely,” (I; ii; 135-137), is a reference to the changed Denmark that Hamlet has grown unfamiliar to. Melancholy is also evident when he realises that Ophelia has died. When Hamlet says ” Woo’t weep? Woo’t fight? Woo’t fast? Woo’t tear thyself? Woo’t drink up esill? Eat a crocodile? I’ll do’t. Dost thou come here to whine? To outface me with leaping in her grave? ” (V; I; 252-254), he means he would do anything to be with the woman he loves at that moment, and would ‘be buried quick with her’ (V; I; 255…
… middle of paper …
…rs and is not afraid to say what is on his mind.
Although many have turned on the world, Hamlet is not one to give up without a fight. Hamlet indeed does have a lonely and melancholic soul, which makes him contemplate suicide and causes him to lash out at the opposite sex. Hamlet’s sadness is evident as he arrives in Denmark as well appearing when his true love, Ophelia, dies. Suicide is on his mind when situations do not go his way. Disrespecting his mother is apparent when Hamlet speaks his mind about his mother’s marriage. Hamlet has a way of mixing up his attributes with his flaws, causing himself to be indecisive about his life. He was also envious of others, when he was the one other’s could have envied. The play taught the readers that they should fight for what they believe in and not to give up until they have achieved their ultimate goal.