Hamlet Character Analysis - 995 Words

In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, there are many events and characters that are ambiguous to the audience. They are interpreted in several ways as there are different view points on why a character decided to act like they did. Such examples in the play are Hamlet’s use of language is equivocal as he uses his words to confuse and insult other characters in the play. Moreover, the decisions that Hamlet makes to delay Claudius’ murder in the play can be interpreted to have various explanations. Hamlet’s personality is quite enigmatic as a result of his â€Å"antic disposition† and quick transitions to a different mood. Considering this, Hamlet seems to possess ambiguous traits that results in complexion in his motives. Throughout the whole play,†¦show more content†¦After Hamlet’s confrontation with the ghost, he promises to avenge his father by killing Claudius. However, he is illuding himself by doing acts that make him seem like he i s making progress. For example, Hamlet’s first step towards his vengeance is to prove Claudius’s guilt through the play of Gonzago. When Hamlet finally gets a reaction from Claudius, he is filled with joy as he thinks he has done something about his promise. Though, he makes no progress as he only proves the ghost’s words. Furthermore, during the prayer scene, Hamlet has the perfect chance to kill Claudius however, he withdraws as Claudius is asking for repentance. Hamlet killing him at that moment would guarantee that Claudius would go to heaven, which would be â€Å"hire and salary, not revenge.† (3.4.79). It would do no good as the ghost is not getting the proper vengeance he wants as he is in purgatory due to Claudius. Hamlet continues to delay his fulfillment of the promise to find the perfect moment, but it can also be interpreted as Hamlet procrastinating as well. Hamlet says that he will â€Å"with wings as swift/ As meditation or the thoughts of love,/ May sweep to my revenge.† (1.5.29-30). However, this is not the case as Hamlet delays and takes two months to come up with a plan. It is uncertain whether Hamlet is waiting for the perfect moment to strike or is too hesitant and scared to commit the murder. Hamlet’s personality seems to be his mostShow MoreRelatedAn Analysis of the Characters in Hamlet Essay1592 Words   |  7 PagesAn Analysis of the Characters in Hamlet Hamlet by William Shakespeare has been considered by many critics as one of the best plays in English literature. It has also been considered as one of the best tragedies among the many Shakespeare wrote. It is a story which revolves around this person called Hamlet, prince of Denmark. It is set in the Elizabethan times in the 16th century. It is a tragedy because it results in the deaths of many characters either accidentallyRead MoreHamlet Character Analysis Essay1014 Words   |  5 PagesNicole Ventzke Crystal Jensen 1102 T/H 2/14/11 Hamlet Character Analysis: Hamlet One aspect that makes William Shakespeare’s Hamlet alluring is how he broke the limiting mold of the one-dimensional character by representing characters in all of their human complexity. Hamlet, for example, is a compelling character because he is complicated. As Hamlet himself observes early in the play in, â€Å"Tis not alone my inky cloak/nor customary suits of solemn black, /Nor†¦forced breath/No, nor the fruitfulRead MoreCharacter Analysis Of Hamlet1065 Words   |  5 Pageswill be explaining where and when Hamlet talks about certain characters, to help explain how he thinks about them (ex: King Hamlet, Claudius, and Gertrude). This essay will help to explain Hamlet as well as his thought process throughout the book (story). In Act 1, Scene 2 (Gertrude) (Lines 141-145) Quote â€Å"That he might not beteem the winds of heaven Visit her face too roughly.—Heaven and earth, Must I remember?† In this first part from line 141 to 143 Hamlet says â€Å"Oh God, do I have to rememberRead MoreThe Analysis of the Character Ophelia on Hamlet Essay1297 Words   |  6 PagesIn William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Ophelia is the most static character in the play. Instead of changing through the course of the play, she remains suffering in the misfortunes perpetrated upon her. She falls into insanity and dies a tragic death. Ophelia has issues surviving without a male influence, and her downfall is when all the men in her life abandon her. Hamlet’s Ophelia, is a tragic, insane character that cannot exist on her own. In Elizabethan times, Ophelia is restricted as a woman. SheRead MoreHamlet Character Analysis Essay1408 Words   |  6 Pagesout at the bond of brotherhood with a lethal blow is to tear at the foundations of an entire family, as members scramble in reaction to the completely distorted dynamic. The Bard’s magnum Opus, Hamlet, attempts to deal with the effects of such a blow after Claudius, the proverbial Cain, slays King Hamlet, the stand in for Abel. However, the familial relations affected are significantly more complicated, being elevated to the political stage and invlovling a perverted inscet. Furthermore, after killingRead MoreAnalysis of Ophelias Character in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay1159 Words   |  5 PagesIn the English play Hamlet, Shakespeare incorporates deep analytical thought in his writing by the use of character, symbolism, and motifs. Specifically, readers can find these characteristics through analytical reading of the character Ophelia. While initially r eading the story, Ophelia represents a character that is typical of the women in the 1600s, one who is too submissive and directed by the people around her. First impressions of Ophelias character seem much too simplistic- one that is emotionallyRead MoreEssay about A Character Analysis of Hamlet1897 Words   |  8 PagesHamlet fascinates many readers and the first thing to point out about him is that he is mysterious. Shakespeares work demonstrates Hamlets dilemma as the role of revenger showing a man of thought forced to be a man of action. Hamlet is extremely philosophical and introspective. He is particularly drawn to difficult questions or questions that cannot be answered with any certainty. Faced with evidence that his uncle murdered his father, Hamlet becomes obsessed with proving his uncles guilt beforeRead MoreCritical Analysis of Hamlet: Character Analysis and the Themes of Revenge and Manipulation1851 Words   |  8 PagesThe play Hamlet is a text that despite its age and Elizabethan linguistic style is still resoundingly relevant to today’s modern audience due to its ability to move past time related contextual barriers and capture the universality of the human condition with its infinite confusion as evident in the character of Prince Hamlet, its ability to influence and manipulate as well as its reaction to such manipulation, revenge. The character of Hamlet himself is very relatable today especially to youngRead MoreCharacter Analysis of Gertude in Shakespeares Hamlet607 Words   |  2 PagesI do believe that Gertrude is still a mother to Hamlet as well. Gertrude’s care for Hamlet is evident from her first lines in Act 1, wherein she begs Hamlet to â€Å"cast nighted color off† in an attempt to bring him out of two months of mourning. This shows her love for him in that she is concerned about him in his sad state of mourning. In Act 2, Gertrude asks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern â€Å"instantly to visit too much changed son† in order that they might discover the cause of his seeming insanity. ThisRead MoreCharacter Analysis of Ophelia in Hamlet by William Shakespeare808 Words   |  3 Pagesidentify with. Of all the characters in the play Hamlet, the one I liked the most is Ophelia. Shakespeare portrayed her beautifully and put all his emotions into Ophelia’s character. Ophelia showed the exact image of the majority of women from my home country. In the play Hamlet, Ophelia was the most innocent, meek, but distraught character. Ophelia was a young, innocent girl, who was spirited and was the age of daydreamers. Her dreams were all about the young prince Hamlet; she believed he was the