Hamlet 16
Hamlet 16Hamlet
Great literary works retain their popularity as a result of many different factors. One such factor which can lead to popularity of a work, current or consistent discussion of a work's merit, can come into play when an author or playwright leaves questions unanswered in his work. In Hamlet, William Shakespeare creates such a situation. As a result of the ambiguity of clues given throughout this play, critics may argue for or against the idea that Prince Hamlet's "antic disposition" put on as a facade to mislead the royal family pales in comparison to the disposition of Hamlet's problems, or in other words, that Hamlet in fact truly succumbs to insanity due to the weakness of his character. Evidence for this opinion can be derived from Hamlet's erratic mood changes, careless slaughter of those not directly involved in the murder of his father, and interactions with the ghost of King Hamlet.
For a man thought to be feigning insanity, Prince Hamlet seems to have very little control of his emotions. In fact, Hamlet admits this to Horatio, when he says, "Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting that would not let me sleep"(5.2 lines 4-5). This lack of restraint leads to Hamlet's unpredictable mood swings throughout the play. Hamlet's relationship with Ophelia easily spawns such dramatic alterations in the prince's attitude. For example, when Hamlet first suspects Ophelia acting only as a pawn for her father Polonius's benefit, he reacts rashly, bitterly denying that he ever loved her. Hamlet said to Ophelia in a very firm and rude manner "You should not have believed me, for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock, but we shall relish of it. I loved you not"(3.1 lines 117-119). This massive reversal in disposition is later contrasted by another reversal when Hamlet leaps into Ophelia's open grave at her funeral to dispute Laretes and claim, "I loved Ophelia, forty thousand brothers could not with all their quantity of love make up my sum" (5.1 lines 252-254). These abrupt mood changes also appear in Hamlet's relationship with his mother. He seemed to believe in his mother's purity and goodness, but eventually Hamlet seems to hold a great mount of contempt for Gertrude, especially when he mocks her words, and then proclaims: "You are the queen, your husband's brother's wife, and would it were not so you are my mother" (3.4 lines 15-16). Such mood swings as these have definitely proven, if anything, that Hamlet due to the weakness of...
To view the complete essay, you be registered.