Hamlet Today

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William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" in Today's Society

William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet" remains relevant in today's society as the play explores many themes that are still appropriate. Such themes include death, suicide, duty and an individual’s place in society.  These themes are as prevalent today as they were in Shakespeare’s time – during the Elizabethan Era.

In the play ‘Hamlet’ we are aware that the character of Hamlet is attempting to rationalize certain issues in order to create a link between what he perceives is right, just and moral and that of society’s expectations. The reason for Hamlet’s relevance in society today is because the themes that were once illustrated through ‘Hamlet’ have lasted the test of time.  Themes such as death are still abundant today. For example, Hamlet’s third soliloquy reminds us that death is the only element that will allow us to feel as though we have a purpose. With death comes striving for a life that we will be content with in order to feel as though we have fulfilled a successful life. Hamlet later realizes that death is ethereal and does not fill this void because once we are dead nothing can or will maintain out life. “Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them.” It is then evident that Hamlet has decided that there is an uncertainty of the afterlife and abandons the sense of heaven/hell in order to understand his place within society. “To grunt and sweat under a weary life, but that the dread of something after death”. Furthermore Hamlet returns to the thought of heaven/hell existing in Act 5. He also adds to this the idea that once we are dead life goes on, regardless of what you did or said. “Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth into dust; the dust is earth of the earth we make loam”. It is evident in this quote that the only way to make life meaningful is to become meaningful in life. This epiphany allows Hamlet to realize this and thus strive for importance in life and make it as meaningful as he possibly could, whilst he was alive.

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Another common theme that still remains today is suicide. Suicide is clearly seen by people today as in society may feel as though they have no other option but suicide. In contrast, the Elizabethan era portrays Ophelia as a broken hearted and confused teen who turns to suicide as the only way out of her situation. In the text the first soliloquy maintains this theme as Hamlet wished to commit suicide but fails to do so as he realizes if he commits the crime he would be failing in his duty to god/religion, family/society. Furthermore duty is another closely ...

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