Steven Stoosny's Motivation In Hamlet

Motivation is a key to survival. It is what helps individuals be successful at what they do and do not do on an everyday basis. Without it, there would never be a reason to accomplish anything in life. However, motivation can be used for completing great things for oneself or can lead to harmful situations. Through the use of approach, avoid, and attack motivation, King Claudius can be seen using aspects of Steven Stosny’s Motivation theory throughout William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Steven Stosny’s Motivation theory consists of three major types of motivation: approach, avoid, and attack. Approach motivation occurs when somebody wants to get more of something that interests them by learning more information from others. Avoid motivation happens
Something have you heard of Hamlet’s transformation” (II.ii.3-4). Claudius takes Hamlet’s childhood friends and uses them to spy on Hamlet for him. Claudius is intrigued with Hamlet’s thoughts and actions as he fears Hamlet is aware of his involvement in King Hamlet’s death. His interest and motivation to find out more is the definition of what approach motivation is. Claudius could also be seen as avoiding Hamlet because he never directly goes and talks to Hamlet for most of the play, instead having others do it for him. King Claudius would never confront the problems he had directly. He uses avoid motivation by ignoring from the fact that he has killed King Hamlet, and keep it a secret for political gains. Shortly after Claudius is crowned the new king, Hamlet explains to his friends from outside the castle, “The king doth wake tonight and take his rouse, keeps wassail, and the sawgg’ring uprising reels” (I.i.9-10). Hamlet is saying that Claudius is celebrating being the new king. He makes a lengthy speech at the party mourning the loss of King Hamlet, and says how everybody should move on. Claudius does this to make it seem like he has empathy for King Hamlet to hide that he truly was