Analysis of Hamlet Play Authored by Shakespeare - Essay Example

Shakespeare's Hamlet "Hamlet" is one of the most famous among William Shakespeare's plays. Poets and composers, philosophers and politicians were inspired by the hero of this drama. The wide circle of philosophical and ethical questions is bound in the tragedy with public and political questions of XVI, XVI and XVII centuries. Shakespeare's hero became the burning spokesman of those new sights brought by the Renaissance when the advanced minds of mankind aspired to restore not only the lost for millennium of Middle Ages understanding of ancient world art, but also the trust of the person to own forces without hopes on favour and help of heaven. A social idea, literature, art of the Renaissance resolutely rejected medieval dogmas about the necessity of hourly humility of spirit and body, detachment from all the real, obedient expectations of the moment when a man will pass to the next world. Instead, it addressed to a man with his ideas, feelings and passions, to his life in this world with its pleasures and sufferings. The state where Danish prince lives pining from its defects, is invented Denmark. Shakespeare wrote about contemporary England. Everything in his play - heroes, ideas, problems, and characters - belongs to the society in which his lived. "Hamlet" has with so deep philosophical contents, such grandiose human characters are created in the tragedy, that ideas and feelings of the writer became close to not only his contemporaries, but also the people of other historical periods. It is possible to understand the hero of any drama reasoning from logic of the drama. But it is not about Hamlet. Not without reason other heroes of the tragedy compare today's Hamlet to yesterday's Hamlet. How could a normal person get mad in one night And was he really mad It is commonly considered to be one of the most difficult questions of the tragedy. However I want to prove, that there is no so-called "Shakespeare's tragedy's riddle and any sane schoolchild, having read the play attentively, would give answers to the questions "Why does Hamlet pretend to be mad" and "Why does he postpone the realization of the revenge provided that he is not confused with numerous authoritative statements on this account. Let's turn to these statements. "In "Hamlet", - wrote G. Branders, - there is no general sense or the idea of the whole in the play. Definiteness was not that ideal which rushed before Shakespeare's eyes". K. Fisher agrees with him: "The tragedy "Hamlet" really looks like a labyrinth". Ten Brick: "Hamlet remains to be a secret, but invincibly attractive secret owing to our consciousness, that it is not artificial thought up, but a secret having the source in the nature". Dawden: "But Shakespeare has created a secret which has remained an element forever stimulating it and never quite understandable. Therefore it is impossible to assume that any idea, or the magic phrase might resolve the difficulties represented by a drama or illuminate the dark in it." A. Vigotsky: " It is very easy to show, that the riddle is drawn in the tragedy, that the tragedy is deliberately constructed as a riddle, that it should be comprehended and understood as a riddle which is not giving in to logic interpretation". Zhykovsky: " Shakespeare's masterpiece seems a monster to me. I do not understand its sense". L. Tolstoy: " There is no opportunity to find any explanation to acts and speeches of Hamlet". Walter went further by declaring "Hamlet" in the preface of one of his tragedies to be a "Delirium of the chronic alcoholic". Similar statements wander from one research to another, in order to sing in unison with the colleagues: "Darkly, confusing, unclear, but how philosophically deep". And the easiest way to explain Hamlet's behaviour was to say that he was "a lunatic", "a chronic alcoholic and so on. However, some critics such as Taylor, Damrosch looked deeper in the psychological world of Hamlet, so did I after reading the play for several times. I would like to share my thoughts and give a thorough analysis of Hamlet's soul. If one saw a phantom in the form of his dead father, he would hardly believe it. This is one of the most difficult problems Hamlet faced. This ghost told him that it was King Hamlet Hamlet's father. He told Hamlet some dreadful information that he was killed by his brother and is living in hell, until Hamlet would revenge his father's death. Hamlet has to get to know if he can believe that information, and if so, the question is how to kill and where. "Rest, rest perturbed spirit." The phantom demands revenge, there are some natural questions occurring. Who and why had played this performance Was it a friendly anonym who decided, that there was no a better way to shed light on the circumstances of Hamlet father's death remaining in a shadow And how authentic is his information And if it is the enemy, trying to trap Hamlet If he, having believed words of the Phantom, attacked the uncle who had "lawfully" occupied the throne, without apparent reasons, any court would not accept his references to so doubtful source of information and dauntlessly would pronounce the death sentence, at best recognize deranged, i.e. a lunatic. But if it is that case which happens once for hundred years If the Phantom is not a fake, but a real phantom Is it a kind or evil spirit Hamlet has to figure out what is true and what is not, he does know that he has to reveal the truth, evidence of what the ghost told him. "Murder most foul, as in the best it is, but this most strange and unnatural." This makes sense, the king's brother kills him, takes the throne, and marries his wife the queen, but Hamlet wants/needs proof. Investigation needs time, and Hamlet has no time. If the performance is played by the enemies, they are waiting for Hamlet with a sword, and who knows what can happen in case of his absence! It is impossible to pretend that Hamlet saw and heard nothing because messenger for certain should have already reported on the success of the mission. Was he frightened Has he become puzzled Was he afraid But Hamlet was not the coward. He might not have changed so much in one night. Situation is a desperate, at the first sight, but there is only one way out: it is possible to carry out an investigation only pretending to be a lunatic. Thus, having imagined ourselves in Hamlet's place we received precise, unequivocal, consistent answers to "Shakespeare's puzzles": Hamlet pretends to be lunatic in order to justify the visible inactivity hiding the true purpose - to find out the goals and intentions of prospective enemies, to camouflage the "strange" questions and acts. In the speech in act three, scene three Hamlet shows many features of his character to us, things that we can only see as fragments in other speeches. He discloses himself to be an over-analytical man who frequently procrastinates. It is very understandable that he does not actually want to kill Claudius but feels forced by the sense of duty to his killed father. Hamlet shows his over-analytical personality in line seventy-three of his speech when he pronounce: "That would be scann'd", meaning that he wants to examine his situation more closely. Instead of merely killing Claudius though he had the chance he over-analyses and ultimately decides to put off Claudius' murder, missing the best opportunity he will get in the play. He is also a procrastinator and this is shown many times in the play. In line eighty he says "Why, this is hire and salary, not revenge". He knows that he should kill Claudius but he puts his murder off. This more or less testifies that Hamlet does not actually want to kill Claudius, but feels forced to do so. Through Hamlet's over-analysis it seems that he more or less is talking himself out of his obligation. One of Hamlet's most famous traits is his over-analysis of topics and situations in which action must be taken. His over-analytical nature is obvious in his speech in act one, scene four, line 13. He starts his speech quite generally, replying with a easy answer to Horatio's question but then his thoughts begin to ramble and he begins to examine and philosophize about topics unconnected with the Horatio's question. Another peculiarity of Hamlet is the methods he procrastinates. For instance, in act two, scene two, line 603 he recognizes that his plan to add sixteen lines to the play and look at Claudius' reaction, rather than implementation his task, is the best plan of action. Though in the end he puts off the murder of Claudius, starting on line 570 he acknowledges his lack of action. This also demonstrates that Hamlet does not actually want to murder the king and that he will go to great lengths to put off his duty. In fact, Hamlet reveals to us about his refusal to kill Claudius early in the play. In act one, scene five, line 189 he says "O cursed spite,/That ever I was born to set it right!", meaning that he is annoyed that he is now put in the position of having to murder the king and he is sorry that he was born with this fate.Hamlet plays the role of a mad successfully. Everybody noticed that he had unusually changed almost suddenly. But this way has one lack: he frightens the king and the queen; they call friends of Hamlet to find out the reason of change. Hamlet, who turns into a game out of a hunter, nevertheless continues to operate. First of all it is necessary for him to find out, as far as the words of the Phantom correspond to the truth and consequently he, with the help of friends-actors plays a performance-mousetrap, hoping to observe the reaction of the uncle to the performance played on a stage written according to "script" of the Phantom. Hamlet has figured out quite a cleaver plan to prove that King Claudius killed King Hamlet, a play. "The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king." Hamlet has arranged a reenactment of the murder in the form of a play. He believes once the king knows Hamlet knows he will do something in a way that shows his guilt, or he will do nothing and that will prove his innocence. An interesting detail: in very important moment when all the attention of Hamlet should be concentrated on CLAUDIUS watching the performance, Hamlet, roughly breaks off conversation with him and addresses Polonium: My lord, you played once i' the university, you say LORD POLONIUS That did I, my lord; and was accounted a good actor. HAMLET What did you enact LORD POLONIUS I did enact Julius Caesar: I was killed i' the Capitol; Brutus killed me Shakespeare has a play "Julia Caesar's" written shortly before "Hamlet", and, probably, the spectators know, that a role of Julia Caesar includes also a role of Julia Caesar's Phantom, appearing before Brutus! So, Polonium might play and a role of the Phantom! The clear head Polonium could not give himself completely and confess that he has experience of the image of Phantoms! The Polonium's fault was not proved, but the performance gave the results. The king reacted, and that meant the ghost had been truthful. Hamlet now has to begin to plot against the king to avenge his father's death. Claudius understands that Hamlet knows everything and begins to piece together what may happen, and starts to think up ways to murder Hamlet. The ghost appears again to keep Hamlet on the right way. Many critics accused Hamlet in slowness that did not kill Claudius at once - in a chapel where they appeared together: kneeling Claudius and Hamlet. However it is difficult to find more convincing and logical explanation, than what is given by Hamlet: HAMLET Now might I do it pat, now he is praying; And now I'll do't. And so he goes to heaven; And so am I revenged. That would be scann'd: A villain kills my father; and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send To heaven. O, this is hire and salary, not revenge. He took my father grossly, full of bread; With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May; And how his audit stands who knows save heaven But in our circumstance and course of thought, 'Tis heavy with him: and am I then revenged, To take him in the purging of his soul, When he is fit and season'd for his passage No! Up, sword; and know thou a more horrid hent This fact testifies that Hamlet not only is not mad but he has deep and lively mind - he is quick on the uptake. Hamlet knows for sure the value of all high ranks and honors. Hamlet is like a beam of great hope and interest of the mankind for the future. His last wish is "to preserve his name" in the memory of the next generations. Hamlet behaves without embarrassment knowing all rules of etiquette. All his jokes, puns and speeches seem to be thoughtful and profound, lucid and intricate, though he has no godliness at all. He believes that soles are immortal; he is far from being self-complacent. He is a trusting person, who wants openness and frankness but he understands that these traits are so rare in people and they have to be appreciated. Sometimes he exercises his wits, parodies the manner of his interlocutors. (Shakespeare 1966) Hamlet is not mad he is a person of destiny; he is full of bravery and courage. He wants to avenge his father and he is merciless for everyone who is guilty. Inexorability, integrity and plasticity are traits of a really heroic character but Hamlet doesn't possess any of them. Sometimes Hamlet loses patience and becomes beside himself. Hamlet's face is like a cold mask, he never smiles. One will never hear merry and harmless jokes from him. Hamlet realizes his tragedy and his adversary. And he realizes that being in his right mind. It is obviously that Hamlet has its own world of anxiety and trickery. The tragedy of Hamlet lies in insoluble antithesis: to know or to act. Hamlet is a person with split consciousness. He torments himself between ideal and a real person. Hamlet appears to be messenger of death and the dark side of the world. (Taylor 2000) I think that Hamlet is an expression of world sorrow and he realizes his vainness in the world. The eternal Hamlet's theme is triumph of evil. Hamlet is considered to be the most mysterious of all his plays. It differs from the others, because it arouses misunderstanding and wonder of readers. Hamlet's image is very tragic. He loses his courage from every little misfortune. The tragedy of Hamlet is that people got used to despotism and slavery, brute force and cowardice. A person can committee crime and will be unpunished. (Damrosch 2004) He understands that he can do nothing to change the situation in the kingdom. He understands that he is alone and nobody wants to help him in his mission. He can't even punish the offenders. Hamlet combines new and deep human problems, which can't be understood or solved, because these problems are eternal and they will exist forever. He has deep inner world and it is usually very difficult to understand such a people especially for those who are perfunctory. Hamlet is a hero of intellect and conscience. He is distinguished by these traits from all other Shakespeare's characters. Hamlet combines deep sensitiveness, brilliant education and morality, courage and weakness. It is rather easier to make friend with Hamlet than with the author. It is very difficult to understand Hamlet. It is difficult for us to understand ourselves and this is the main cause. (Damrosch 2004) I also think that Hamlet was a personification of a controversial world. All his deed, words and thoughts were obscure and strange like our word. Good and evil were combined in him like god and devil in the world. And I think that every educated person should read such novel and think over it, analyze the deep and mystery character of the main hero what is quite interesting and helping in the developing of the young personalities. The trouble is that schoolchildren do not always understand the play correctly. Their tutors should teach them to think like Hamlet over eternal problems of good and evil, life and death. Works cited Shakespeare, William. Plays and Poems. London: Spring books, 1966. Taylor, Edward. Literary Criticism of 17th Century England. London: Universe, 2000. Damrosch, David. Longman Anthology of World Literature. US: Longman, 2004. Greenblatt, Stephen. Renaissance Self Fashioning: From More to Shakespeare. US: Chicago Press, 1984. Green, John. Hamlet. Longman Anthology of World Literature. US: Longman, 2003. Read More