Arguments Around the Treatment of Hamlet by Shakespeare - Article Example

Download file to see previous pages The author has outlined the characteristic of Shakespearean youth and how it negates the age labeling into old and young by the character of Hamlet. However, the conduct of author while examining the subject of the article cannot be declared unbiased as no reference in favor of age categorization despite its ideological existence in the society does not appear in the article. There must have been some roots to the ideological bifurcation of age groups in ‘young’ and ‘the wiser’ and it seems as if the author has deliberately avoided their appearance in his article. The whole discussion is surrounded by the play and how Hamlet has broken the shackle of contemporary categorization of youth and old age. The characterization of Hamlet is done within the political shell but it negates such age divide at the larger scale. Another important aspect evident from the reading of the article is the use of word and phrases from the text of the play by the author to prove his argument. This at certain places hampers the literary taste of the article by the discontinuation of thought or obscuring an idea. The bit and pieces of the evidence from characters expressions deem to be an intricate use of the text to support his standpoint. The theme of the article is to provide the textual evidence for the presence of an ideological bifurcation between old and young age. The author has cited ample references from the text of Hamlet for the existence of this “ideological categorization” in contemporary settings. However, the buildup of Hamlet character is used by Shakespeare to negate any such bifurcation. The cultural superiority of the old and subordination of the youth at this age is quite evident in the literary evidence provided by the author. The old age was a sign of wisdom and prudence whereas the young age was considered an era of less intellect and sensational wilderness. The age categorization was so evident that instead of using the term younger and the older Gabriel Harvey describes them as "the younger" and "the wiser." But this was considered a political phenomenon by Shakespeare and his treatment of Hamlet’s age as a device for symbolic insight into the contemporary age categorization ideology is arguable. This is because the Claudius was only interested in keeping the throne beyond the reach of Hamlet and in that he always tried to equate his young age to imprudence and immaturity. The author has presented sufficient evidence from the text to validate his understanding of age categorization as it existed in that era. The Claudius expression about the Hamlets immaturity and impiousness is the major evidence in this connection where he utters, to persevere In obstinate condolement is a course Of impious stubbornness, 'is unmanly grief, It shows a will most incorrect to heaven, A heart unfortified, a mind impatient.   ...Download file to see next pagesRead More