How does Shakespeare present the character of Hamlet?

Christopher Boutari

How Does Shakespeare Present The Character Of Hamlet?

The mastery of Shakespeare in depicting his characters is shown in a way that they seem to dominate the spectre of stage, as well as enthralls their audience in captivating mood from the beginning of the play until its climax. The character of Hamlet has perhaps engraved the name of Shakespeare in the realms of English Literature, as this character alone has succeeded in capturing a variety of moods. Hamlet has also mastered the roles of equally different people, their feelings, sentiments and depiction of an equally varied number of situations in an individual’s life. The following essay will however limit its discussion on the specific methods used by Shakespeare in order to present Hamlet, and strive to include this character in a different historical perspective.

Hamlet’s character is observed to make a gradual progression from one that respects and follows a moral order in life to one who is full of revenge. Right from the beginning of the play, Hamlet encounters his father’s ghost, saying “To cast thee up again. What does this mean?” the encounter revealing to him that the latter was murdered by his own brother and Hamlet’s uncle Claudius. This is also the moment in the play which perhaps serves as the turning point, and also a change in directions for Hamlet as he takes it upon himself to avenge his father’s death. It is also the point where Hamlet’s character is observed to undergo a change from that of a moral and righteous character to one who realises that the causes of all moral dilemmas is perhaps the existence of Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle. “That one may smile, and smile, and still be a villain” – This was Hamlet’s spoken thoughts regarding Claudius as a result of his discovery. One can therefore clearly observe that Hamlet continuously strives to correct the wrongs, yet succeed in eliminating Claudius; in his words spoken in Act III, Scene IV, “thus bad begins, and worse remains behind”.

This introduces us to how Shakespeare presents one of the first features of Hamlet’s character, one that comprises of revenge and sin. The character of Hamlet in Shakespeare’s play brings forth the inner desires of the protagonist as he struggles to commit the sin of revenge through the murder of his uncle Claudius, or refrain himself from indulging in such a heinous act. His reluctance to take revenge is shown as he says “The time is out of joint; O cursed spite that ever I was born to set it right”. The audience can observe that the character of Hamlet is one who is pious and God loving, and may have never thought of committing such a sin, thus his conflicting inner being to take avenge of his father’s death. As the play moves on, the audience fully realise that the pious and God loving Hamlet has turned against his religious beliefs and overcome by his inner conflicts, eventually take the decision to commit the sin of murdering his uncle. At this point, it is imperative to note that the two opposing characteristics of Hamlet’s character, one that shows him to be a pious and God loving, and the other showing him to be filled with revenge are duly commented through his own words; for example, the piousness in Hamlet can clearly be viewed when he comments on the marriage of his mother with his uncle Claudius, who is also the murderer of Hamlet’s father. Hamlet comments that “she married ……/ with such dexterity to incestuous sheets”, amply providing evidence of his distaste for the decision. Similarly, upon encountering Claudius busy in his prayers, Hamlet refuses to kill him. With the religious Hamlet taking over and allowing himself to indulge in a conflicting state of being, he notes that “A villain killed my father”, yet he cannot ever dream of sending Claudius to heaven, even though Hamlet stood “reveng’d”. It is thus clear that Hamlet’s religious inner being is somewhat overpowering at this particular moment, which prohibits him to indulge in any sin, even if the same is to take revenge of his father’s death. The classic interpretation of Hamlet by Laurence Olivier is most successful in the portrayal of Hamlet’s strong desire to take revenge on his father’s death, as the scene with Hamlet’s encounter with his father’s ghost was more emotional.

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This inevitably raises the question: Is Hamlet mad? In Hamlet’s character, there exist a number of points which provide evidence to Hamlet’s insanity, yet he is completely sane. This is evident on a number of occasions where Hamlet takes decisions, strongly proving that he is sane, yet as the majority of the audience would otherwise presume, insane. His actions are precise, timely and with complete knowledge proving to the audience that every move made or refrained from was a calculated manoeuvre, and certainly not committed in a state of insanity. An example to this respect can be found in Act III, scene III, line 73, where Hamlet comments “Now might I do it pat, now is a-praying, and now I’ll do it-and so ‘a goes to heaven, an so am I revenged that would be scanned. A villain kills my father, and for that I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven. Why, this is hire and salary, not revenge.” As the words depict, Hamlet all too clearly realises that his father’s murderer is praying, and if Hamlet murdered him while in prayers, the latter would enter heaven, and that would not be revenge. Certainly, these thoughts are not from an insane man, proving the character in Hamlet is also not insane, and acting with full knowledge of his thoughts as well as his actions. Any insane individual would have committed the murder, particularly when his adversary was busy in a task, even if it was praying. Another strong aspect the sanity in Hamlet's character is the long duration taken for taking a final decision. The famous quote “To be or not to be" implies that Hamlet was truly in a state of indecisiveness, as he could take a decision whether to commit the sin or not. On one side his conscience forces him to take the revenge of his father, while at the same time Hamlet also thinks of committing suicide as he cannot live a life in such a state of turmoil. At the same time Hamlet also has thoughts that he would rather die than remain unavenged. Insanity would have any individual to act in impulse, and not wait as was done by Hamlet. In the modernised film of ‘Hamlet’ by Ethan Hawke, Hamlet is shown to be a mad person more than in any other film. This is because it frequently shows him isolated and talking to himself in an arguably mental tone.

In addition to the two contrasting features of Hamlet, Shakespeare chooses to present the protagonist as an antiheroic figure. This is most likely done to bring out the negative side of the hero or the protagonist, aside from the positive aspect as affixed for all heroes. Indeed of the most excellent and powerful strategies adopted by authors, the presentation of antiheroism in any protagonist confirms the difference between the good and bad, although everybody is fully aware that the hero’s intentions are well and certainly intended for the welfare and benefit of the larger population. In act IV, Hamlet displays signs of antiheroism towards Rosencrantz and Guildenstern by saying "That I can keep your counsel and not, mine own. Beside, to

be demanded of a sponge, what replication should be made by the son of a king?" He also tells Claudius "I see a cherub that sees them. But, come; for England! Farewell, dear mother." In Hamlet, the aspect of antiheroism can also be observed as he invites sentiments of sympathy and admiration from the audience or readers, as he undergoes the pain of losing his father and the conflicting desires of taking revenge or refraining himself from such a sinful act as murder, as this is the only choice left to him. Therefore, it is easy to observe that Hamlet is torn apart from the various roles to which he is assigned; for example he is the eldest son of the older Hamlet, who was king, and also bears the burden of the traditions which demands vengeance against anyone who murders their father. An example of antiheroism is shown in the play where Hamlet addresses two advisers of Claudius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, both of whom are disliked by Hamlet as well as the audience hence the natural empathy towards our subject hero. Hamlet comments “I am glad of it: a knavish sleeps in a foolish ear.” The audience can well understand the confusing language used by Hamlet to counteract any plans and strategies of his opponents including the servants of his adversary. The use of confusing terminology also serves to confuse the two servants addressed by Hamlet, while he makes his point clear to those around him. This ploy of using confusing words and phrases may have invited his suitors of the court to label Hamlet as crazy or insane, but as one may observer, he is neither. On the contrary, Hamlets use of typical terms, idioms and phrases are excellent tactics to keep his opponents busy in what was uttered keeping them busy in deciphering Hamlets statements. Examples of these include “” and “Get thee to a nunnery”.

One of the most profound and striking elements of Hamlet is his role, ever in conflict and fighting with his own conscience. For Hamlet in particular, conscience does not appear from his inner being, as is normal. Instead Hamlet is initiated by a course of events and actions which somewhat forces him to develop his conscience to that respect. Hamlets’ quote “The play’s the thing, wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king” perhaps best describes the principle character’s conflicting desires as he seeks the results of actions around him to nurture his conscience. It can also be said that this particular scheme of the conflicting conscience in Hamlet also plays an important role in the entire development of the plot in Hamlet as a play. Hamlet comments, “O, most wicked speed, to post, with such dexterity to incestuous sheets… but break my heart for I must hold my tongue.” One may take note that Hamlet’s conscience at this particular point of the play leaves him dumbfounded, as he knows that it was wrong for his mother to wed his uncle, and that too in such haste. This dilemma leaves him no choice as to handle this affair. His dilemma is somewhat solved as he meets the ghost of his father, who informs him that it was the same uncle Claudius who has murdered him, but alas, the time for taking any action has indeed passed. The only course of action for Hamlet now is to remain silent and wait for an appropriate time, and thus the delay in his revenge, which is yet another element for making the play ever more intriguing.

The different characters in Hamlet regularly express their opinions about him, directly or otherwise. Interestingly in different plays, we see incestuous relations developing with his mother. With Ophelia, the situation is quite different. In the 'Nunnery Scene' Polonius instructs Ophelia to stand in the lobby of the castle, while he and Claudius hide behind. Hamlet enters the room, in a different world from the others, and recites his "" soliloquy. Hamlet approaches Ophelia and talks to her. He famously tells her "get thee to a nunnery." Hamlet becomes angry, realizes he's gone too far, and says "I say there will be no more marriage", and exits. Ophelia is left bewildered, scared, and heartbroken, sure that Hamlet is crazy. After Hamlet storms out, Ophelia makes her "O, what a noble mind is here o'erthrown" soliloquy. Other characters in Hamlet such as Laertes and his father Polonius convey hatred towards Hamlet, before and after Polonius’s death. Laertes advises Ophelia against Hamlet’s romantic pursuit of her, and Polonius forbids her to “give words” with him. After Polonius’s death, Laertes despises Hamlet further. He says "I dare damnation. To this point I stand, that both the world, I give to negligence, Let come what comes; only I'll be reveng'd, most thoroughly for my father."

In conclusion, Shakespeare presents the character of Hamlet in numerous ways. In one perspective, his role progresses from one who follows a moral order in life to one who is mad, and full of revenge and sin. In contrast he presents his character as sane as well. Shakespeare also conveys distinctive elements in Hamlet such as his antiheroism and conscientiousness. The fact that Hamlet is presented in several alternative forms is sheer evidence of how Hamlet is a very unique character and why the play was very successful.

Teacher Reviews

Here's what a teacher thought of this essay

Laura Gater

8th of May 2013

This is a very good essay and does a good job of exploring the character of Hamlet. The presentation of Hamlet throughout such a long play is a very broad task and at times the essay becomes a bit list like because so many points are trying to be explored; perhaps considering presentation of the character in three key scenes would enable for a more focused piece. 4 Stars

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