Upon examining Shakespeare's characters in this play, Hamlet proves to be a very complex character, and functions as the key element to the development of the play. Throughout the play we see the many different aspects of Hamlet's personality by observing his actions and responses to certain situations. Hamlet takes on the role of a strong character, but through his internal weaknesses we witness his destruction.
In the opening of the play, Hamlet is confronted by the ghost of his father and told to revenge his "foul and most unnatural murder". Later on, however, Hamlet begins to doubt the ghost. He then thinks up the Murder of Gonzago to verify the truthfulness of the ghost and also to allow himself more time. After learning the truth, Hamlet still continues to procrastinate the killing of Claudius. 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. Another characteristic that acts against Hamlet is his excessive melancholiness. Hamlet experiences rejection from his true love, anger from the murder of his father, betrayal from his friends and family, and fear from what lies ahead. These feelings of pain and sorrow are embedded deep inside Hamlet, and eat at him like a terrible disease. Unfortunately, by the end of the play Hamlet has stopped fighting this disease and leaves his future up t!.
o fate. As he begins his duel with Laertes he says: "the readiness is all", meaning that fate will decide the future and if it means death he will accept it.
In connection to Hamlet's indecisiveness and melancholiness, one has to question his sanity. At the beginning of the play Hamlet seems logical and quick, but this soon fades after Hamlet has his first visitation with the ghost of his father. Hamlet then doubts himself and starts to believe that his eyes have deceived him. After this, Hamlet seems to lose touch with his true self and succumb to his darker side.
ANEID AND ODYSSEY COMPARED AND CONTRASTED Odysseus and Aeneas are very alike in some ways and very different. They are both epic heroes except that one is Greek and the other is a Trojan. Odysseus is from the Greek tale The Oddessy, which was written by the famous Greek poet Homer. His quest is...
Expertise and the Autistic Savant: Possible Explanations Experts are those individuals who exhibit exceptional cognitive abilities and skills (Solso, 2001, p.186). Autistic savants are generally experts in one area yet lack self-awareness, and social, communication, and imagination skills (Skoyle...
Odysseus's Heroic Adventure When The Odyssey was written the Greek poet Homer defines his main character, Odysseus, as a great war hero. As the story progresses, Odysseus is many things other than the average warrior on a long journey home. One outstanding characteristic of this not so typical man is his wiliness. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus shows his leadership qualities while he overcomes many obstacles during his journey home. Odysseus first demonstrates his attributes when he meets the Cyclops. ...