the themes in Hamlet

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Themes of Hamlet

Zareef Hamid 11B

Hamlet by William Shakespeare is a revenge tragedy that illustrates a tragic hero’s struggle with two opposing forces: moral integrity, and the need to avenge his father’s murder. Hamlet the prince of Denmark discovers from his father’s ghost that his father has been murdered with malicious premeditation and this atrocious act was committed by none other than his uncle Claudius. Inevitably Hamlet is instigated to seek revenge, however is incapable of such action due to the need for certainty and other emotional, psychological, and ethical factors; thus he remains indecisive. Through Hamlet’s complex, divided, introspective character and with the help of such an intriguing plot Shakespeare exposes the themes of immorality, revenge, and death; which are evidently the most significant and recurring themes throughout the play.

Immorality plays a significant role in the play. The plot commences with Claudius not only committing the immoral act of regicide but also repulsively seducing the queen into marriage; completely disrupting the natural order of Denmark. Therefore Claudius has deprived the prior king “of life, of crown, of queen” Such corruption leads to Denmark being represented as a physical body which has been made ill as the people come to believe that “something is rotten in the state.” (I, iv, 90) The appearance of the previous king’s ghost confirms a sense of foreboding about the future of the country since the new king has forced himself onto the throne through corrupt means. All this corruption affects Hamlets view of the world as well, where he comes to believe that the world is merely possessed by “things rank in gross in nature”.( I, ii, 136) Even before Hamlet encounters his fathers ghost who reveals the truth about the murder, Hamlet is searing with indignation over how his mother with “most wicked speed, [did] post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets” (I,ii,156 – 157)  Thus Hamlet foreshadows that such dissolute deeds “cannot come to good” (I.ii.158)  However when the ghost does reveal the truth Hamlet is overwhelmed with disgust at the immorality and injustice of his own uncle’s and his mother’s foul deeds. Inevitably the occurrences of such immoral acts have brought a burning need within Hamlet, a need to seek to revenge; which is another significant theme that recurs throughout the play.

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Indisputably, revenge is probably the most essential theme in the development of Hamlet. Revenge is a dreadful, decadent and a bloodthirsty emotion and is the driving force behind two of the main characters in the play- Hamlet and Laertes. However Shakespeare’s conduct of revenge within Hamlet differs completely to the quintessential style of revenge during his era. Shakespeare’s illustration of revenge delves more into the physiological and moral aspect of seeking revenge; where he portrays that revenge is not an action that usually comes innately because even overpowering emotion cannot bring about immediate action. Therefore Hamlet contemplates heavily and ...

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