Hamlet Character Study
Hamlet Character study.
Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark, son of the late King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude. Hamlet is suffering internal conflict after the recent marriage of his mother and uncle. “With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!... But break, my heat, for I must hold my tongue”. While he feels that the marriage is wrong and disrespectful he must not voice his concerns because his Uncle is now the King and as such he deserves a level of respect. Also Hamlet respects his mother despite her recent behaviour. His disgust at his Uncle and Mother is magnified when Hamlet meets the Ghost of his father. He learns that his Uncle murdered his Father and as such the Ghost commands him to seek revenge. “So art thou to revenge when thou shalt hear” The imperative tone is commanding. After hearing the truth about his father’s death Hamlet decides to put on a façade of madness. “As I perchance hereafter shall think meet/ To put an antic disposition on…” Such a guise allows Hamlet to act in whatever way he feels appropriate to help him seek revenge. While the madness is initially a guise it turns into a physical manifestation of Hamlet’s internal struggle between his desires and conscience. Hamlet considers the possibility that the ghost may not be telling the truth and so through his crazy façade he seeks to find proof that his Uncle Claudius committed the murder. His famous quote, “The play’s the thing/ Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.” The simple rhyme outlines Hamlet’s plan to recreate a situation similar to the murder of his father and observe Claudius to see what his reaction is. Hamlet also uses his guise of madness to give a reason for staging the play. “Marry, this is miching mallecho. It means mischief.” His response does not give any real reason for the play and all the characters choose to indulge him because they believe his state of mind to be negatively affected.
Hamlet’s relationship with his mother is tested when he is
Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark, son of the late King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude. Hamlet is suffering internal conflict after the recent marriage of his mother and uncle. “With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!... But break, my heat, for I must hold my tongue”. While he feels that the marriage is wrong and disrespectful he must not voice his concerns because his Uncle is now the King and as such he deserves a level of respect. Also Hamlet respects his mother despite her recent behaviour. His disgust at his Uncle and Mother is magnified when Hamlet meets the Ghost of his father. He learns that his Uncle murdered his Father and as such the Ghost commands him to seek revenge. “So art thou to revenge when thou shalt hear” The imperative tone is commanding. After hearing the truth about his father’s death Hamlet decides to put on a façade of madness. “As I perchance hereafter shall think meet/ To put an antic disposition on…” Such a guise allows Hamlet to act in whatever way he feels appropriate to help him seek revenge. While the madness is initially a guise it turns into a physical manifestation of Hamlet’s internal struggle between his desires and conscience. Hamlet considers the possibility that the ghost may not be telling the truth and so through his crazy façade he seeks to find proof that his Uncle Claudius committed the murder. His famous quote, “The play’s the thing/ Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.” The simple rhyme outlines Hamlet’s plan to recreate a situation similar to the murder of his father and observe Claudius to see what his reaction is. Hamlet also uses his guise of madness to give a reason for staging the play. “Marry, this is miching mallecho. It means mischief.” His response does not give any real reason for the play and all the characters choose to indulge him because they believe his state of mind to be negatively affected.
Hamlet’s relationship with his mother is tested when he is