Essay on The Character of Hamlet - 1852 Words

The Character of Hamlet This essay will delve into the character of the hero of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet as it develops through the drama, and will analyze the more important features. Louis B. Wright and Virginia A. LaMar in â€Å"Hamlet: A Man Who Thinks Before He Acts† explain the popularity of the protagonist: Much of the delight of modern readers, of course, comes from the study of the characters of the principal figures in the play, for Shakespeare has presented them in three-dimensional vividness. We feel that they are living beings with problems that are perennially human. If a modern man is not called upon, as Hamlet was, to avenge a murdered father, he nevertheless must face crises in his own life†¦show more content†¦a beast, that wants discourse of reason, Would have mournd longer--married with my uncle [. . .] . (1.2) Soon Horatio, the hero’s closest friend (â€Å"Horatio, thou art een as just a man / As eer my conversation coped withal.†), and Marcellus make contact with Hamlet and escort him to the ramparts of Elsinore. Philip Edwards in â€Å"The Ghost: Messenger from a Higher Court of Values?† explains that â€Å"Hamlet is galvanized into activity by the news of the appearance of a ghost that resembles his dead father†(Edwards 66-67). At one a.m. the Ghost reveals to the protagonist the extent of the evil within Elsinore. The Ghost says that King Hamlet I was murdered by Claudius, who had a relationship with Gertrude prior to the murder; the ghost requests revenge by Hamlet: â€Å"Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.† Hamlet swears to carry out vengeance on King Claudius for the murder of his father. From the outset of the drama, but especially with the personal qualities manifested during the ghost scene, the audience sees the continuing development of Hamlet’s character into one of very complex temperament and motivation, which would render him quite â€Å"rounded† (Abrams 33). Maynard Mack in â€Å"The World of Hamlet† elaborates on the implications of the Ghost’s visit for the hero: â€Å"The ghost’sShow MoreRelatedCharacter Analysis Of Hamlet In Hamlet730 Words   |  3 PagesHamlet is a character of melancholy because he is a very sad individual finding out that his very own uncle has killed his father. He is wanting to commit suicide but he’s contemplating it because it is a sin. 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Hamlet’sRead MoreHamlet Character Analysis961 Words   |  4 PagesWhen one reads William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, it is easy to overlook t he female characters as powerless and subservient. However, things are not always what they seem at first glance, as a further analysis of Gertrude and Ophelia suggests. Although the plot centers around Hamlet’s quest for revenge, these two female characters have a profound influence on what transpires. These women certainly play more significant roles than they seem at first. In Act I, Gertrude appears to be an unfaithful wifeRead MoreThe Juxtaposition of Hamlet Characters1658 Words   |  7 PagesWilliam Shakespeare’s play â€Å"The Tragedy of Hamlet†, Ophelia and Laertes represent different aspects of prince Hamlets traits that further the understanding of his behaviour, thoughts, and over-all character. Laertes and Ophelia, like Hamlet, are children of murdered fathers. This connection helps create a link between the three that sends them passionately to their end. Ophelia has an important relationship and entangling affair with the prince. Hamlets and Ophelia’s actions in time lead the youngRead MoreHamlet Character Analysis1135 Words   |  5 PagesHamlet was living a normal happy life before his father suddenly died. He was in line for the throne, parents who loved him, and close friends in Wittenberg. Once Hamlet’s father was suddenly dead all of this changed. His uncle took the throne from him, he despised his mother for her new relationship with his uncle, and he had to leave all of his friends in Wittenberg to return to Denmark. A piece of Hamlet died when his father passed away. Hamlets character goes through a development which reveals