How does Shakespeare display Hamlets limitations as a conventional revenger? How do you as a member of a modern audience respond to Hamlet's dilemma and solutions?

Authors Avatar

Rowan Boyles 12R1                AS English coursework.

“Hamlet is brave and careless of death; but he vacillates from sensibility and procrastinates from thought and loses the power of action in the energy of resolve.” Coleridge 1818.

How does Shakespeare display Hamlets limitations as a conventional revenger? How do you as a member of  a modern audience respond to Hamlet’s dilemma and solutions?

Although Hamlet is a revenge tragedy, it is unique in its portrayal of the protagonist. Far from being a typical one-dimensional revenge hero, Hamlet displays immense depth of character. Shakespeare has chosen to focus on the psychological aspect of a revenge hero.

Typically, revenge heroes are men of action. With Hamlet this is not the case, as he is practically defined by his lack of action. We can see this contrast by comparing Hamlet to the characters Laertes and Fortinbras, both of whom have been placed in similar situations to our hero. Laertes follows the path of a typical revenger. After  learning of his father’s death, he immediately springs into action, ready to kill and  to accept damnation as a result.

  To hell allegiance! Vows to the blackest devil!  

  Conscience and grave, to the profoundest pit!

  I dare damnation.

This disturbing imagery shows Laertes’ great commitment to his cause. Shakespeare has accentuated his rage through the use of superlatives. Laertes has already decided what he must do, and was prepared to kill almost anyone in order to get revenge. This decisive reaction is in direct contrast to Hamlet’s. Even though Hamlet’s first response is positive:

“Haste me to know’t, that I, with wings as swift

As meditation or the thoughts of love may sweep to my revenge”

However this is not mirrored in his actions. In fact, his first decision, after hearing the ghost’s revelation, was not to exact his immediate revenge but to feign madness; an excellent example of the procrastination that Coleridge refers to.

  As I perchance, hereafter shall think meet

  To put an antic disposition on

This is indicative of Hamlet’s philosophical detachment from events. The decision to appear mad shows some resolve, but does not really advance his cause. He has almost resolved to procrastinate. The veil of madness allows him to observe and distance himself from the other characters. Shakespeare has employed this as a means to isolate Hamlet further from his family and friends. This clearly adds weight to Coleridge’s view of Hamlet as a more deliberate revenger.  Even before the ghost appeared to Hamlet, he was distant, as we saw him sullen and inattentive in the court, still preoccupied with his father’s death and mother’s remarriage.

Join now!

        Claudius: But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son –

           Hamlet: [Aside] A little more than kin and less than kind

        Claudius: How is it that the clouds still hang on you?

Hamlet’s play on words shows his contempt for Claudius and also his general discontent. Hamlet’s withdrawal is also recognised by other characters, like Claudius at this early stage.

The antic madness increases his remoteness  from the other characters, to an almost total isolation. This may be typical of revenge heroes in the sense that they are isolated by their cause, but not on such a psychological level. ...

This is a preview of the whole essay