Hamlet
Throughout the play many different aspects of Hamlet's personality are shownby observing his actions and responses to certain situations. Hamlet proves tobe a very complex character and functions as the key element to thedevelopment of the play. He takes on the role of a strong character, butthrough his internal weaknesses his destruction is inevitable. In the opening of the play, Hamlet is confronted by the ghost of his fatherand told to "Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder" (Act 1 Scene 3 li. 31). Hamlet is not afraid to follow the ghost and speak with it, despite the fact thatHoratio tells him not to go. He questions Horatio as to why he is stopping himand what is to be feared. Later on, however, Hamlet begins to doubt the ghost'sword. He thinks up the "Murder of Gonzago" to verify the truthfulness of theghost and also to allow himself more time. Hamlet's plan is, "...The play's thething/Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king" (Act 2 Scene 2 li. 633-634). After learning the truth, Hamlet con
"Ifthou dost marry, I'll give thee this plague for thy dowry: be thou as chaste asice, as pure as snow, thou shalt not escape calumny. This is random and unexpected, as many of his actions, but thecomparison makes sense, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern soak up all the kings'favors, only to become dry again after they mop up the king's mess (spying onHamlet, and getting Polonius's body). Hamlet is able to make smart remarks to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern,comparing them to sponges, "When he (Claudius) needs what you have gleaned,it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you shall be dry again" (Act 4 Scene 2 li. Another characteristic that acts against Hamlet is his excessivemelancholiness. Although Hamlet is full of purpose, he lacks the ability to carry out his intentions,and thus allows his character flaw to eventually destroy him. Hamlet's indecisiveness and melancholiness lead to the question of hissanity. Inorder for his crafty plan to be successful, he must be certain that he makes nomistakes so his antic disposition remains a secret. Hamlet confronts Claudius about themurder, but Claudius ignores the questioning by asking where Polonius's body is. Hamlet tells Claudius how lowly a king can be by saying, "A man may fish withthe worm that hath eat of a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm"(Act 4 Scene 3 li. Hamlet wanted Claudius to think he was insane because he did not want theking to interfere with his plan to find out the truth about his father's death. 236-237), meaning that fate will decide the future and if it means death he willaccept it. Unfortunately, by the end of the playHamlet has stopped fighting this disease and leaves his future up to fate. This secret led to the death ofOphelia, the one that Hamlet loves.
Common topics in this essay:
Rosencrantz Guildenstern,
Claudius Hamlet,
Ophelia Hamlet,
,
Murder Gonzago,
Hamlet Claudius,
play hamlet,
scene 2 li,
2 li,
scene 2,
murder father,
scene 3,
rosencrantz guildenstern,
3 li,
act 4 scene,
body hamlet,
ghost father,
scene 3 li,
polonius's body hamlet,
polonius's body,
|
Acceptance Essays
