Essay On Fatherhood In Hamlet

In the beginning of the play Hamlet, Hamlet finds himself summoned from his school in Germany to return back to his homeland in Denmark to attend his father’s funeral. In the midst of learning of his father’s death, Hamlet also becomes privy to the detail that his mother has remarried to his uncle, Claudius. Furthermore, during Hamlet’s time home his father reappears as a ghost to enlighten Hamlet of his murderous death committed by Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius. In just the first act of the play, readers quickly find themselves in a swirling whirlwind of Hamlet’s family drama. Through these many incidents and Shakespeare's eloquent words, the play may appear as an overwhelming story that has little relevance today. However, when further analyzing
Today in society, many people come from homes that have fallen victim to divorce and now have to adjust to the concept of having a step-parent present. Although divorce does not directly come into the play Hamlet, Hamlet loses a parent from his daily life and finds that parent being replaced, similar to a divorce situation. In the beginning of the play in Act I, readers witness an interaction between Hamlet and his new stepfather, Claudius. At first, Claudius appears to act concerned for Hamlet as he questions “How is it that the clouds still hang on you?”(I.ii.66). Hamlet then replies “Not so, my lord. I am too much i’ the sun”(I.ii.67). This witty, borderline snarky remark from Hamlet quickly sets the mood of the relationship between Claudius and Hamlet. This interaction, while it would be phrased much differently, could appear today in modern society. With divorce a large build up of emotion creates a strong potential for a great deal of resentment from children towards step-parents - just like the resentment Hamlet presents towards Claudius and even his mother Gertrude in these Act I interactions. These emotions demonstrated by Hamlet are what create a major connection between the play and modern day