Hamlets Obsession with Death - 1120 Words

Hamlets Obsession With Death In Hamlet, William Shakespeare presents the main character Hamlet as a man who is fixated on death. Shakespeare uses this obsession to explore both Hamlets desire for revenge and his need for assurance. In the process, Shakespeare directs Hamlet to reflect on basic principles such as justice and truth by offering many examples of Hamlets compulsive behavior; as thoughts of death are never far from his mind. It is apparent that Hamlet is haunted by his fathers death. When Hamlet encounters the ghost of his father, their conversation raises all kinds of unthinkable questions, for example murder by a brother, unfaithful mother, that triggers Hamlets obsession. He feels compelled to determine the reliability†¦show more content†¦He then moves beyond his earlier need to settle the score and asks for forgiveness from Leartes. Hamlets need to know is highlighted in his interaction with the ghost, but treated in an unusual way. The ghost brings to attention the themes of truth and ethical behavior, but also serves as contrast to Hamlets need for belief. The ghost represents death, but that is one thing Hamlet cannot be certain of, because he has not yet experienced it. Even more, he cannot tell whether the ghost is truly his fathers spirit or whether it is an evil being who wants to lead him toward destruction as when he says, O all you host of heaven! O earth! What else / And shall I couple hell O fie! (1.5.99-100). As Hamlet moves from revenge to forgiveness he realizes lessons about justice and truth. After seeing Yoricks skull, a direct encounter with the face of death, it makes him realize that everyone will die, even the great Alexander. No matter what a persons noble status, in the end everyone meets the same end, as mingled dust scattered upon the earth. There is no superiority or inferiority of status in death. Another lesson is found when the ghost commands Hamlet to take revenge on Claudius but not to harm his mother Gertrude, the queen. Tai nt not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive / against thy mother aught. Leave her to heaven / and to those thorns that in her bosom lodge / to prick and sting herShow MoreRelatedPsychoanalysis Of Hamlet1171 Words   |  5 Pagestendencies, and an Oedipus complex. Hamlet’s manifestation of a modern-day bi-polar disorder begins after the death of his father, King Hamlet. Though most of Hamlet’s behavioral symptoms could be considered common side effects of bereavement, the progression of their severity over time causes his diagnoses to change from that of grief coping mechanisms to manic depression or bipolar disorder. While Hamlet, of course, reserves the right to grieve his father’s death, his own mother questions why thisRead MoreEssay on Hamlets Obsession with Death1065 Words   |  5 Pages Hamlets Obsession With Death In Hamlet, William Shakespeare presents the main character Hamlet as a man who is fixated on death. Shakespeare uses this obsession to explore both Hamlets desire for revenge and his need for assurance. In the process, Shakespeare directs Hamlet to reflect on basic principles such as justice and truth by offering many examples of Hamlets compulsive behavior; as thoughts of death are never far from his mind. It is apparent that Hamlet is haunted by his fathers deathRead MoreAnalysis of Hamlet’s Behavior through Minor Characters1280 Words   |  6 PagesWhen such a task as murder must be committed, the line between avenging and revenging becomes unclear. This is seen in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The deceased king’s son, Hamlet, embarks on a quest to avenge the death of his father, who was murdered by his uncle. Throughout the play, and the progression of his quest, it is apparent that Hamlet is a complicated character. As the play progresses the reader is able to see that Hamlet has an inability to take action, portrayed through his failed attemptsRead MoreHamlet Character Analysis918 Words   |  4 PagesHamlet portrayed in Act I, scene III from the Hamlet in Act I scene V, where he encounters the Ghost. When he first introduces Hamlet, Hamlet is portrayed as a young man grieving from the loss of his father and of the mother he though he knew. In Hamlet’s first soliloquy, he describes the world he lives in as an â€Å"unveiled garden, that grows to seed† that possessed by â€Å"things rank and gross in nature† (I.v.135-136). From the very beginning, even before Hamlet had any knowledge of the Ghost, his griefRead More Madness and Insanity in Shakespeares Hamlet - From Obsession to Insanity1006 Words   |  5 PagesFrom Obsession to Madness in Hamlet      Ã‚   In Shakespeares play Hamlet, there are several questions that come to the readers mind regarding the emotional state of Hamlet.   Was Hamlet really suffering from madness, as many of his friends and family thought?   Was he mad or just pretending to be mad?   Did Hamlet start out pretending to be mad, and his obsession drove him to madness?   The reader gets insight into Hamlets mental status through other characters and through Hamlet himself. If theRead MoreWilliam Shakespeares Hamlet Essay706 Words   |  3 PagesSummary: Hamlet is upset with his mother’s hasty marriage to his King Uncle Father, Claudius following his father’s death. He suspects foul play which is later confirmed by the ghost of his father. Now, Hamlet is set on avenging the death of his father as a favor to him. At the same time, he must figure out who is more at fault, his mother or uncle-father. This completely messes with Hamlet’s mind and he is confused entirely on his situation. His reaction to her marriage in the first place sent him intoRead MoreSimilarities Between Oedipus And Hamlet1060 Words   |  5 Pagesis very clear that the Prince of Denmark suffers from severe parental problems. These problems bear a stark resemblance to those borne by Oedipus, the classic staple of Greek mythology. The similarities, however, end and begin with an unhealthy obsession towards the mothers of each character and a distinct distaste towards the father that would border on hatred. Oedipus is, due to childhood experiences that were uncontrollable to him, largely unaware of these issues and even takes steps to disproveRead MoreHamlet Was Not Shakespeare’S First Tragedy, Nor Would It1627 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"in medias res† and the aftermath of the death of his father, the viewer’s first impression of Hamlet is melancholic. In his first of many soliloquies, Hamlet reflects upon his misfortune, lamenting â€Å"Oh, that this too, t oo sullied flesh would melt, thaw, and resolve itself into a dew† (Shakespeare 1.2.130–31). This is hardly the typical attitude of a Greek tragic hero, starting at a great height in order to begin their descent (Aristotle 35). However, Hamlet’s supposed highest point is still filledRead MoreWhat is Grief?1639 Words   |  7 Pagesmuch to the point where his grief only ends with his death. When someone goes through a traumatic period he or she usually have a support system to help them to deal with their emotions, but unlike most Heathcliff did not. When people are isolated and don’t have anyone to help them through their grief the harder it is for someone to overcome their emotions. For Heathcliff his isolation from other people only encourages and intensifies his obsession and grief, much like others who isolate themselvesRead MoreRevenge And Betrayal In Hamlet1531 Words   |  7 Pagescharacters are tested and conflicts are established between characte rs. Hamlet’s father, the king of Denmark, was helplessly poisoned by his own brother, Claudius. Hamlet, the protagonist, becomes aware of his father’s death and finds himself seeking revenge and starting a cycle of hatred. Hamlet embarks on his journey for revenge by displaying an act of craziness. Throughout the play, there were several moments where Hamlet’s actions caused confusion and made it difficult for the audience to distinguish