I see Prince Hamlet in Shakespeare's Hamlet as a distressed and internally confused young man, unsure of how to act since the death of his father. He's conflicted between sadness and anger, and as a result lashes out at his mother and uncle.
As
his uncle, and to-be stepfather, concludes his speech to the people as King of
Denmark, Hamlet mutters, "'A little more than kin and less than
kind,'" (1. 2. 67). Prince Hamlet's entrance exudes
attitude; he can't help taking a jab at the new king. Although, who could blame him?
Just two months after his father's death, Hamlet’s mother is already marrying
his father's brother. I find the situation very twisted.
With the tenacity to criticize Hamlet's manliness, King Claudius says, "‘but
to persever/In obstinate condolement is a course/Of impious stubbornness. 'Tis
unmanly grief,'" (1. 2. 96-98). Not only does his father's
death cause Hamlet major grief, but now Hamlet also has to deal with a
controlling man trying to replace his father.
Hamlet responds to his uncle and mother as an annoyed stepchild
would—unwilling to subject to change and a bit cynical. Considering the
situation, I understand where he's coming from. However, further into Scene 2,
I saw that Hamlet's anger and sadness comes from a much deeper place,
"'Or
that the Everlasting had not fixed/His canon 'gainst (self-slaughter!) O God,
God/ How (weary,) stale, flat, and unprofitable/Seem to me all the uses of this
world!'" (1. 1. 136-138). He wishes God had not
made suicide a sin; otherwise he would take his own life.
I’m excited to find out more about Prince Hamlet, and to watch his character evolve throughout the play. Will Hamlet be in the same mindset at the end of the play? Will he turn out completely different than he did in the beginning of the play?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2RHXt9t-d4
I really enjoyed reading this blog post. The commentary was very well presented and great at explaining the quotation used to describe why Hamlet seems to be depressed. The connection from Hamlet to a modern stepchild was really insightful, and coming from a kid with divorced parents, I thought that description was spot on. I also found the realization of Hamlet's depression coming from a deeper place awesome. Not that his depression is awesome, I just also noticed that while reading this scene. The closing was great, I enjoyed seeing the questions posed at the end which presents things to look for throughout the rest of the play.
ReplyDeleteYour post is super great! You really introduced me to a new perspective of Hamlet's behavior toward his mother and uncle. Until now, I thought that Hamlet is more angry at his mother for marring his uncle so soon after his father's death than King Hamlet's death itself. I like your perspective in thinking that Hamlet is actually more upset becuase his father is dead. Therefore, he is showing cruelty toward his mother and uncle.
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