To Be or Not to Be - Hamlets Answer Essay - 1367 Words

To Be or Not to Be - Hamlets Answer As Hamlet approaches a waiting Ophelia, he begins one of the most famous soliloquies in all of literature with the immortal line: To be or not to be?that is the question (III. i. 64). Yet this obvious reference to suicide only scratches the surface of the heart-rendering conflict felt by the young Dane. Hamlets impetuous desire to take his own life is only an impassioned reaction to the heavy burden of revenge that his fathers murder has placed upon him. His greater struggle, and the focus of Hamlet itself, involves the questioning of the purpose and meaning of a life well-lived. The character of Hamlet pursues this knowledge through his manipulation of reality, his search for the courage†¦show more content†¦He becomes so proficient at manipulating the actions of others that it becomes difficult for him to clearly communicate his fears and concerns. After confronting his mother with all he knows about the murder of his father, Gertrude dismisses this information as the rantings of a madman. In a desperate attempt to be believed, Hamlet pleads, ?My pulse as yours doth temperately keep time/And makes as healthful music. It is not madness/ That I have uttered? (III. iv. 161-163). In his struggle to confront both his feelings and his responsibilities in this difficult situatio n, Hamlet first strives to understand the fine line that separates reality from illusion. Gaining control of that understanding of reality is a critical first step for Hamlet in his journey toward self-knowledge. As Hamlet strives to understand the illusory nature of his world, he also learns just how much courage is required to cope with extreme adversity. As the play opens, Hamlet is despondent over the loss of his father. He claims, if only to himself, ?How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable / Seem to me all the uses of this world!? (I. ii. 137-138). Not only does he lack the energy to cope with his situation, but he lacks the simple courage to choose a course of action. Even as Hamlet conceives his plan to reveal Claudius? treachery through the play, he still questions his ability to follow through with his scheme.Show MoreRelatedHamlet1304 Words   |  6 Pagesattracted to the scene because they would receive a moral insight into Hamlet’s mind, revealing his true thoughts. It also would have expanded on the theme of revenge, and how this theme would affect the final scene of the play. Finally, by focusing on the theme of morality, the soliloquy would have provided audiences wit h a thought-provoking look into their own consciences. In Shakespeare’s original version of Hamlet, Hamlet’s speech from Act IV, scene iv effectively targets the Elizabethan Era audienceRead MoreThe Characters Traits of Hamlet Essay813 Words   |  4 Pageshas many character traits which are contrasted by other figures in the play. Hamlet’s personality is especially contrasted by three other main male figures of the play being Horatio, Claudius, and Laertes. Horatio is Hamlet’s best friend in the play whom is let into the mind and secrets of Hamlet. Horatio’s other part in the play is the reader’s indication that since he and Hamlet both saw the ghost, Hamlet’s sanity isn’t in complete doubt. Horatio is a man of virtue, known as beingRead MoreQuestioning the Sanity of Hamlet in Shakespeares Hamlet, Prince of Denmark987 Words   |  4 Pagesthe other characters. Rather than stating something profound in response to when Polonius asks what Hamlet is reading, he says only the most obvious and elementary of answers possible, â€Å"words, words, words† (2.2.192). This trend between Polonius and Hamlet continues. â€Å"What is the matter my lord?† asks Polonius. Hamlet answers, â€Å"Between who?† (2.2.193-194). Tenney Davis responds to this by saying that Hamlet feigned his insanity convincingly by taking things too literally, which manifested inRead More Freudian Perspectives of Shakespeares Hamlet Essay1528 Words   |  7 Pagesinternal and external stimuli. The unconscious contains thoughts, memories, and desires that are well below the surface of awareness but that nonetheless exert great influence on behavior.(Weiten) The core of the Freudian perspective is centered around Hamletà ¢â‚¬â„¢s relationship with his mother, and the relationship of Hamlet and King Claudius. According to the Freudian view, Hamlet is driven by unconscious sexual desire and aggravation. This sexual aggression is directed towards his mother and Claudius. Read MoreThe Tragedy Of Hamlet By William Shakespeare1146 Words   |  5 Pagesnot to be? That is the question.† The entire scene is about Hamlet’s uncertainty about suicide and death. The ghost is masked in uncertainty. Who is it? Is it real? Why is it around? Ophelia is constantly uncertain of Hamlet and his feelings towards her. Is she a young lady or a little girl? Does she realize the sexual connotations Hamlet makes when he speaks to her? What about Queen Gertrude? Does she know the truth about King Hamlet’s death? Does she marry his brother because she loves him, orRead MoreTragedy And Madness In Hamlet757 Words   |  4 PagesHamlet. He was faced with trials and tribulations which led to an tragic end. Was their a cause of Hamlets madness? Evidence from the play shows, Hamlet was triggered by his father’s words, For Hamlet to avenge his fathers death. For this course of action to occur Hamlet must murder his uncle Claudius, who is soon to be king . Faced with more trials after King Hamlets passing, Gertrude (Hamlets mother) is to marry Claudius. Hamlet is stumped. How is he going to murder his uncle without certaintyRead MoreHamlet’s Madness in Craft Essay868 Words   |  4 Pagesthat he coincidentally became insane after making such a vow. Hamlet’s supposed madness not only becomes his way of relating to the other characters during the majority of the play, but also that which develops his character as throughout the play. Still, the question remains: Is Hamlet really crazy or just pretending? The major conflict which seems obscures the possibility of obtaining clarity on the answer to this question is Hamlet’s inability to find any certain moral truths as he works his wayRead MoreEssay on Shakespeares Hamlet is both Madman and Genious1101 Words   |  5 PagesShakespeare. Is he an insane madman or a vengeful, devious, genius? There are many contradictory ideas and theories on Hamlet’s so called psychosis, his procrastination in avenging his father’s death, and his actions towards his mother. In the first act Hamlet seems to be in a perfectly sane state of mind. It is the second scene where the reader begins to see a change in Hamlet’s character. Ophelia meets with Polonius and recalls the meeting she previously had with Hamlet. She tells her fatherRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet Essay1162 Words   |  5 Pagesmysterious questions human nature asks; finding answers to why humans suffer through life when they could simply die as well as uncovering what happens after death isn’t at all simple. However, the simplicity of the phrase â€Å"to be† creates a both incredible and powerful message through its juxtaposition of a small phrase with actual larger, complex meaning of life and death, a meaning that can barely be defined in 34 lines. In the end, it is Hamlet’s troubles in dealing with and uncovering the complexitiesRead MoreThe Struggle with Procrastination in Hamlet by William Shakespeare1002 Words   |  5 Pagesbrings ab out Hamlet’s downfall. In the beginning of the play, Hamlet is given explicit instructions by the ghost to kill his uncle/step-father Claudius to avenge his father’s murder; yet, he fails to do so. Hamlet’s inaction and hesitation to kill Claudius is justified in his own mind and to the audience. Hamlet’s initial disbelief in the reliability of the ghost’s claim, Hamlet’s belief in religion, and the fact that Hamlet is trained in thought rather than in action, all lead to Hamlet’s inaction,