Critical Analysis of Shakespeares Hamlet Essay examples

Critical Analysis of Shakespeares Hamlet What is mans purpose in life? Is there a purpose? If there isnt, then is it wise to end it, despite the fact that there might be nothing better? In Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, Hamlet struggles with these and other issues. He states that the question of life is To be, or not to be...? Is existence really worth the troubles of life? In this monologue, Hamlet is wondering what is his purpose. He asserts that the only reason people endure their horrible lives is the uncertainty of what lies after death. Who would fardels bear, to grunt and sweat under a weary life, but that the dread of something after death... Is it noble to suffer, and is life worth all its misery? Hamlet†¦show more content†¦Hamlets mother has just lost a husband, his uncle is worried and guilt-stricken over the terrible crime he committed of murdering his brother, and Ophelia, Hamlets lover, is miserable because her half-witted father has forbidden her to see Hamlet. This soliloquy pertanes no t only to Hamlet, but to virtually all the characters in the play. All the characters are bear[ing] the whips and scorns of their piteous lives. The monologue is not only relevant to the characters in Hamlet, but to all people. Many people feel at some point that their lives are not worth living . They may question if life has a purpose, and whether or not they are serving that purpose. It is quite easy to relate to Hamlets feelings of woe and uncertainty. This is what makes Hamlet timeless. No matter what century, country, or person, everyone has experienced to some degree what Hamlet endured. Perhaps someone has just lost a father, or undergone a divorce. They could relate to Hamlets misery. They may not contemplate suicide, as is what is sometimes believed about Hamlet, but they do have questions about life, and the afterlife. Shakespeare uses Hamlets feelings to express his own, as well as those of all people. Because of this, Hamlet has become a classic. Hamlets character represents people in all circumstances. He questions everything, and has experienced love, hate, betrayal, depression, grief, and anger. He is sometimesShow MoreRelatedEssay on A Critical Analysis of Shakespeares Hamlet1132 Words   |  5 PagesA Critical Analysis of Shakespeares Hamlet Dave Beaston Hamlet. Is he an insane madman or a revengeful, scheming, genius? There are many conflicting ideas and theories on this subject, and hopefully this paper may be of some assistance in clearing up the confusion. The paper is divided into three separate analytic sections beginning with the beginning of Hamlets so called madness, and why it may have occurred. Next, is an analysis of why Hamlet delays revenging his fathers death.Read MoreReligion in Hamlet Essay1149 Words   |  5 PagesThe Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is one of the most famous tragedies William Shakespeare has ever written. Found throughout Shakespeare’s tragedy are many religious references. According to Peter Milward, the author of Shakespeares Christianity: The Protestant and Catholic Poetics of Julius Caesar, Macbeth, and Hamlet, â€Å"From a purely religious point of view, which is more than just biblical, Hamlet is rich in homiletic material of all kinds, reflecting almost every aspect of the religiousRead MorePerfect Idealism In Shakespeares Hamlet1631 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction The play Hamlet is a fable of how the ghost of a slain king comes to haunt the living with disastrous consequences. A rancorous ghost and a brother s murder, lead the gloomy setting of Hamlet s Denmark. Hamlet story opens with an encounter between young Hamlet, his dad s ghost as well as the prince of Denmark. The ghost reveals to Hamlet that its murderer was his brother Claudius, who then rapidly wedded his widowed queen, Gertrude. As a result, the ghost presses Hamlet to seek vengeanceRead MoreAnalysis Of William Shakespeare s Macbeth 1149 Words   |  5 Pagesand bailiff, Shakespeare is believed to have attended King’s New School because his father held an official position. Shakespeare did not receive any higher level education, however. Hardly anything else is known of the young William Shakespeare’s childhood. Shakespeare’s timeline then jumps ahead to November 28, 1852 when he married Anne Hathaway to legitimize Hathaway’s pregnancy. Their first daughter Susanna was born shortly after the marriage. She was shortly followed by the twins Judith and HamnetRead More Psychoanalytic Analysis of Shakespeare?s Hamlet Essay1291 Words   |  6 Pages If one wants to truly understand the psychological implications of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the primary focus should be on the character Hamlet, and how he develops and modifies throughout the play. Using the fundamentals of the psychoanalytic perspective of critical evaluation, one would be able to truly identify and explore the true nature of Hamlet, and the effects that his character has on the situation surrounding him. In order to gain a true understanding of most of the detail that isRead MorePsychoanalytic Analysis of Shakespeares Hamlet1341 Words   |  6 PagesIf one wants to truly understand the psychological impli cations of William Shakespeares Hamlet, the primary focus should be on the character Hamlet, and how he develops and modifies throughout the play. Using the fundamentals of the psychoanalytic perspective of critical evaluation, one would be able to truly identify and explore the true nature of Hamlet, and the effects that his character has on the situation surrounding him. In order to gain a true understanding of most of the detail that isRead MoreCritical Writing Review Of Hamlet1260 Words   |  6 PagesMany people equate good critical writing with very descriptive writing when that is simply not true. Good critical writing should not just be an in-depth description of a topic. Good critical writing should include a clear presentation of your argument and your own evidence, a clear and confident refusal to accept opposing conclusions from other critical writers, and a balanced presentation of reasons why the conclusions of other writers may be accepted but are ultimately not cor rect. Many peopleRead MoreAn Analysis of Queen Gertrudes Position in King Hamlets Death in William Shakespeares Hamlet1056 Words   |  5 PagesAn Analysis of Queen Gertrudes Position in King Hamlets Death in William Shakespeares Hamlet Usually in a playwright, one of the authors objectives is to keep the viewer or reader confused or disconcerted about certain events in the plot. Certain characters in a play or story that have concocted covert schemes to perhaps murder or frame somebody, may have confusing effects on the viewer. Depending on the way the plan was developed in the plot the viewer may have to stop and ask themselves;Read MoreHamlet Tragedy Of The Mother And Son1137 Words   |  5 PagesHamlet-Tragedy of the Mother and Son William Shakespeare is a writer of tragedies—the tragedies within common everyday relationships. Of these various relationships, Shakespeare reveals his interest in the relationship between the mother and son within Hamlet. The mother: Queen Gertrude, and the son: Prince Hamlet is unique within the play because Hamlet’s relationship with his mother is rare in the sense that Gertrude is one of two women within Hamlet. And like the other woman, Gertrude is submergedRead MoreHamlet, By William Shakespeare Essay1453 Words   |  6 PagesHamlet by William Shakespeare explores many aspects of mankind--death, betrayal, love, and mourning. Out of these, the most prominent theme in this play is death in the form of suicide. The main character, Hamlet, finds himself questioning the quality of life and the uncertainty of the afterlife once he discovers news of his father s death and the corruption in the kingdom that follows. Ophelia, Hamlet’s lover, is found dead later in the plot and is presumed to have committed suicide. In Hamlet’s