Essays on Hamlet

Essays on Hamlet

In William Shakespeare's play Hamlet, Hamlet goes on tirades about the displeasure he feels with his mother and his uncle, who’s now his stepfather. His uncle, along with his mother, married two months after Hamlet's father's death. In his “To be or not to be speech” Hamlet questions if the trouble and pain he is being put through is worth it, As he reveals his displeasure, anger, and disappointment with his mother and his life at the time.

Hamlet demonstrates his displeasure with his life and the events that are going on in his life in many ways throughout this speech. He describes how painful and miserable he is with how life has been treating him. Also, He emphasizes that life is not worth living as he questioned: “to be or not to be.” But, in other words, to live or to die. Next, He feels “by a sleep to say we end The heartache and the thousand natural shocks.” By saying this Hamlet means if he was to die his troubles would disappear. Next, Hamlet feels as though the effort he puts into a “weary life” is not worth it.

But the only reason Hamlet chooses to put effort into life is because of an “Undiscovered” afterlife, meaning everyone who's died has never come back to tell them what the afterlife is like. Hamlet, an angry person displays the anger he has with life in this passionate speech. He goes on about how painful love is and how it leads to betrayal. He compared the pain of love to “slings and arrows.” Demonstrating how hurt he truly feels. He is angry at everyone around him, he allows nobody to get close to him and really talk to him.

After Ophelia had broken up with Hamlet, His interactions became more aggressive and violent. Next, he began getting angered easily and started attacking people for slight problems he sees. “I have heard of your paintings well enough. God hath given you one face and you make yourselves another […] It made me mad.” Then Hamlet proceeds to compare his life to “For who would bear the whips and scorns of time”. So, Not only is Hamlet rude and angry, but he is also taking it out on people and comparing it to horrible and painful things. Hamlet is displeased and disappointed with his mother and her painful actions.

After Hamlet’s father's death, it took his mother two months to remarry. Which left Hamlet displeased because he questioned if his mother ever truly loved his father and had felt the pain of his death. Additionally, Hamlet goes on to say “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all” implying that one's conscience is enough for someone to realize what they had done wasn't right. Hamlet, emphasizing the pain of his disappointment with his mother says “With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!” Hamlet constantly feels “The heartache and the thousand natural shocks” from the actions of those closest to him.

At the end of the play Hamlet is poisoned by Claudius he starts thinking back on his life. While speaking to Horatio in his final moments, Hamlet was expressing his disappointment and anger by saying “Things standing thus unknown, shall I leave behind me.” Hamlet felt this way because he thought his life being cut short wasn't doing him justice. Finally, Hamlet believed he could’ve and should’ve accomplished more on this earth leading him to all these feelings.

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Theme of Revenge in Hamlet

In Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the theme of revenge is so prominent that it could be considered its own character. The vengeance in Hamlet is essential to the development of Laertes, son of Polonius, Hamlet, prince of Denmark, and Fortinbras, prince of Norway. Revenge is …

HamletOpheliaRevenge
Words 7166
Pages 27
Psychoanalysis of Hamlet

There are always three sides to a coin when it comes to psychology. Two being the heads and tails, the other being the thickness of the coin represented here by the why factor. No action is ever considered to be an accidental behavior, thus making …

HamletPsychoanalysis
Words 1714
Pages 7
Hamlet’s Indecisiveness

Shakespeare wrote Hamlet and created his character as someone who would lead to his own tragic death. He had many flaws that lead to his eventual death, however there was one that he should have been able overcome. He could over come his indecisiveness, most …

Hamlet
Words 98
Pages 1
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The Role of the Writer in Society

Formative assignment: discuss the role of the writer in society, with reference to specific examples. The ‘writer’s’ role is vital to society in many ways. From the newspapers that are written to be informative, to the poets that are taught for education, from the bible …

HamletNovelWriter
Words 1160
Pages 5
Justice in Hamlet

Hamlet, a timeless tragedy written by literary mastermind William Shakespeare, has puzzled scholars for decades. Hamlet, who is arguably the most enigmatic character in English literature, is a vividly thoughtful young prince who conspires revenge on his uncle Claudius for the murder of his father …

HamletOphelia
Words 751
Pages 3
Hamlet Gray or Dorian Hamlet

Throughout the play Hamlet we see the themes of obsession and good vs. evil, Hamlet struggles with his inner demons until his tragic and untimely death. In the novel The Picture of Dorian Gray we meet a character that is very similar to Hamlet in …

HamletOphelia
Words 96
Pages 1
Hamlet in Comparison to the Lion King

Many literary works can be compared due to vast amounts of similarities between theme and characters; Hamlet and the Lion King are two literary works in which character and theme are surprisingly similar throughout each work. The Lion King is thought to be just an …

HamletLion King
Words 1250
Pages 5
The Nature of Evil in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet

Society has been preoccupied by the concept of good and evil since the emergence of civilization and, just as humankind has evolved over time, so has the definition of evil. Evil was first used to describe someone who placed themselves above others and it wasn’t …

EvilHamletNature
Words 1691
Pages 7
Relationship of Hamlet and Gertrude

In the Shakespearean play Hamlet, the conflict between Hamlet and his mother, Gertrude, is parallel to the main conflict of the story. Hamlet is motivated to avenge by the ghost after he is upset when Gertrude marries Claudius. Hamlet’s view of society, especially women, is …

GertrudeHamletOphelia
Words 477
Pages 2
Hamlet’s Emotions

Emotions In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the main character Hamlet is seen as a very emotional person. His emotions change all the time throughout the play so he attempts to act crazy so nobody knows what’s going on with him. When he acts …

HamletOphelia
Words 1245
Pages 5
The Strength of Gertrude in Hamlet

Murder, treason, and deceit are common themes in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet. Throughout the play the women are often viewed as weak in character as the men easily dominate them and steal the spotlight through their manic actions. The time period in which Shakespeare would …

AdulteryGertrudeHamlet
Words 1301
Pages 5
Andre’s Mother

1. Discuss the many symbols in the play and what they represent. Andre loved to play the role of Hamlet, a character in Shakespeare’s play. This symbolizes Andre’s character. In Hamlet, Prince Hamlet struggled in deciding whether or not to avenge his father’s death. This …

Essay ExamplesHamlet
Words 438
Pages 2
Hamlet Nunnery Scene Analysis

In this essay, I am going to write about the themes and techniques in the “Nunnery” scene in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. All of the points I am going to cover have been expressed through different mediums for example in film and televised dramatic plays …

DeceptionHamletOphelia
Words 1563
Pages 6
The Value of Life

The value of human life is still a mystery and we as a society is still trying to figure it out. During early times, life was not valued at all. People were being turned into slaves and treated like nothing. In today’s world though, we …

Essay ExamplesHamlet
Words 341
Pages 2
Moral choice of Hamlet

Hamlet was the only son of the late King that was named too as Hamlet. His father was murdered when Hamlet was away from home. He had an uncle, a brother of his father, named Claudius and later married Hamlet’s mother named Gertrude. Since Hamlet’s …

HamletOphelia
Words 661
Pages 3
My Oedipus Complex: Larry

The short story My Oedipus Complex written by F. O’Connor in 1963 is a story about the boy named Larry, who holds a great love for his mother and hatred for his father, just the same as the psychological phenomenon in which the story was …

CreonHamletOedipus
Words 830
Pages 4
Hamlet vs Othello

How the protagonists deal with their difficulties: Hamlet vs Othello In William Shakespeare Hamlet and Othello, the author creates two similar yet vastly different protagonists. The major source of contrast lies within each characters approach to decision making and premeditated action. As David Nichol Smith …

DesdemonaHamletIagoOpheliaOthello
Words 1819
Pages 7
The Symbolic Role of Horatio in Hamlet

In Shakespeare’s Tragedy Play Hamlet, Horatio shows as a minor character. However, the contributions and demonstrations he brings to the play and to the audience are very important and abundant. His role in the whole play can be viewed from three angles. First of all, …

Hamlet
Words 1218
Pages 5
Self-Preservation Is the First Law of Nature

“Self-preservation is the first law of nature. ” The above quote is an often heard line regarding an individual’s response to the demands of nature. It can be said that self-preservation and security outweigh the need to act independently and freely of the constraints of …

HamletLawReservation
Words 1381
Pages 6
Hamlet’s First Soliloquy

Hamlet’s soliloquy in Act I Scene 2 is the first time that the reader fully understands Hamlet’s character, his inner thoughts and opinions. The general tone of this soliloquy is very personal and emotional revealing Hamlet’s despair over the current situation and his depressing state …

HamletMacbethOthelloRevenge
Words 649
Pages 3
The External Conflict of the Story „My Oedipus Complex“ by Frank O’conner

The external conflict of the story „My Oedipus Complex“by Frank O’Conner? The story „ My Oedipus Complex „written by the well-known Irish author Frank O’Connor is a sacred narration of the youth and growing-up problem. There are three characters in the story: Larry – protagonist, …

ConflictCreonHamletOedipusSophocles
Words 768
Pages 3
Character Traits of Hamlet, Claudius and Gertrude

In Hamlet, William Shakespeare suggests that individuals may struggle to restore honour and certainty because of procrastination and deception. Honour and certainty are both qualities an individual may desire having. To be honoured by one’s name, or to be certain that through life they’ve made …

DeceptionEssay ExamplesHamletProcrastination
Words 1008
Pages 4
To What Extent Can Bosola Be Considered a Tragic Hero

To what extent can Bosola be considered a tragic hero? “Let worthy minds ne’er stagger in distrust/ to suffer death or shame for what is just. / Mine is another voyage. ” Thus the dying Bosola concludes his last speech and, in doing so, ends …

HamletIagoOthelloRevengeTragedyTragic Hero
Words 1261
Pages 5
Oedipus Complex in Hamlet

Oedipus Complex in Hamlet In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlet’s personality can be explained by the Oedipus Complex. Throughout the play there are many times where he proves that he has Oedipus Complex. Oedipus Complex was not around at the time that that Hamlet was written. It …

CreonHamletOedipus
Words 829
Pages 4
Revenge in Hamlet and Frankenstein

William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet and Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein are both about revenge the enemy, while the two novels may seem Hamlet and Victor Frankenstein fight for the people they loved. But important contrast in the attitude of revenge, Hamlet is very confuse revenge or …

FrankensteinHamletMonsterOphelia
Words 692
Pages 3
Deception in Hamlet

There’s something rotten in the state of Denmark because deception rules the day! Deception, one of the main themes in Shakespeare’s play; Hamlet, is a major factor or characteristic that many, if not all of the characters portray. Throughout the play, almost none of the …

DeceptionHamletOphelia
Words 484
Pages 2
Hamlet Second Soliloquy

In the last scene of act I Hamlet is told by the ghost that his father has been murdered by Uncle Claudius, the brother of the deceased king. Hamlet once mournful and grim turns revengeful, he promises the ghost to “sweep” to revenge. But he …

DeceptionHamlet
Words 1786
Pages 7
Was Hamlet Mad?

Hamlet is a complex character in the play. His character is always changing in some way, and he never seems to be the same person. In some scenes, he appears to be mad, while in others he is perfectly sane. Therefore, a question that has …

HamletOphelia
Words 763
Pages 3
Hamlet Tragic Flaw

Question #3: One of the essential elements of any tragic figure is his/her tragic flaw(s)-an inherent personality trait or set of traits that inevitably dooms the character to destruction. Identify and explain Hamlet’s tragic flaw(s) and how it/they bring about his downfall. A tragic flaw …

Hamlet
Words 469
Pages 2
Why does Hamlet delay avenging his father’s death?

Why Hamlet is not carry out immediately, thinking why he posed. It is a great question. Firstly Hamlet need to make sure that the ghost is a good spirit or a dad spirit and his story is good and to carry that it is a …

FatherHamletRevenge
Words 55
Pages 1
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The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, often shortened to Hamlet, is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words.
Originally published

1775

Characters

Ophelia , Claudius, Polonius, Hamlet , Laertes, Horatio, Gertrude , Ghost of Hamlet's Father

Genre

Shakespearean tragedy

Playwright

William Shakespeare

Language

Early Modern English

Information

Setting: Denmark

Original language: Early Modern English

Frequently asked questions

What should I write my Hamlet essay about?
There are many possible topics for a Hamlet essay, but some of the most common include discussing the themes of death and betrayal, analyzing a particular character, or exploring the use of symbolism in the play. Another approach could be to examine how Hamlet's indecision and delay in taking revenge affects the course of events.
What are the 5 major themes in Hamlet?
The five major themes in Hamlet are:1) The ghost of Hamlet's father: The ghost of Hamlet's father appears to him and tells him to revenge his death. This sets the major plot of the play in motion.2) Hamlet's indecision: Hamlet is plagued with indecision throughout the play. He is unsure of whether or not to kill Claudius, and he constantly delays taking action. This theme is a major source of tension in the play.3) Appearance vs. reality: Many of the characters in Hamlet put on false appearances in order to deceive others. This theme is closely related to Hamlet's indecision, as his indecision is often due to his inability to tell appearance from reality.4) The corrupting effect of power: Nearly all of the major characters in Hamlet are corrupted by the power they wield. Claudius murders his brother in order to gain the throne, and Hamlet's indecision is partially caused by his fear of being corrupted by power if he kills Claudius.5) The inevitability of death: Death is a major theme in Hamlet, as virtually all of the major characters die by the end of the play. This theme highlights the tragedy of the play, as the death of so many characters is largely due to the actions of a few.
What are the 7 themes for Hamlet?
The 7 themes for Hamlet are:1. Appearance vs. Reality2. Corruption3. Family4. Love5. Loyalty6. Revenge7. Suffering
What is the main message of Hamlet?
There are many possible interpretations of the main message of Hamlet, but one common view is that it is a tragedy of revenge. Hamlet is a young prince who is grieving the death of his father, the king. When his mother remarries Hamlet's uncle, Hamlet is consumed by rage and betrayal. He plots to kill his uncle in revenge, but the plan goes awry and Hamlet ends up killing his girlfriend's father instead. In the end, Hamlet dies alongside his mother, uncle, and girlfriend. Although Hamlet takes revenge on his uncle, it does not bring him the satisfaction or peace that he was hoping for. The main message of the play may be that revenge is a destructive force that ultimately leads to more pain and suffering.

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