Review of Hamlet by William Shakespeare

**Review of Hamlet by William Shakespeare**

Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare around 1600, is one of the most famous and enduring tragedies in the history of literature. The play follows Prince Hamlet of Denmark, who is faced with the sudden death of his father, King Hamlet, and the subsequent remarriage of his mother, Gertrude, to his uncle, Claudius. The ghost of King Hamlet appears to Prince Hamlet, revealing that he was murdered by Claudius, and instructing Hamlet to seek revenge. The play explores themes of revenge, madness, moral corruption, the nature of life and death, and the complexities of human consciousness. Hamlet’s internal conflict and indecisiveness about avenging his father’s death are central to the plot, and the tragedy ultimately leads to the destruction of nearly everyone in the court, including Hamlet himself.

Themes in Hamlet

Revenge and Justice: One of the central themes in Hamlet is the idea of revenge. Hamlet is consumed by the need to avenge his father’s murder, but he is conflicted about how to proceed, constantly questioning the morality of revenge and the consequences of taking action. Hamlet’s inability to act immediately leads to his internal struggle, highlighting the complexities of justice in a corrupt society. The theme of revenge is not only central to the plot but also serves to explore moral dilemmas and the consequences of pursuing justice through personal vengeance rather than relying on law or reason.
Madness and Sanity: Another prominent theme in the play is the tension between madness and sanity. Hamlet feigns madness as part of his plan to avenge his father’s death, but the line between his feigned insanity and actual madness becomes increasingly blurred. The question of whether Hamlet is truly mad or whether his actions are a result of conscious choice is a central element of the play’s exploration of human psychology. Other characters, like Ophelia, also display signs of madness, particularly after the death of her father, Polonius. Through these characters, Shakespeare examines how grief, betrayal, and injustice can warp a person’s mind and behavior, raising the question of what it means to be truly sane in a world filled with deceit and betrayal.
Death and the Afterlife: Hamlet delves deeply into the theme of death and the uncertainty of the afterlife. Hamlet frequently reflects on the nature of life and death, contemplating mortality and the futility of existence. The famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy encapsulates Hamlet’s existential crisis as he grapples with whether it is better to endure the suffering of life or to end it by committing suicide. The theme of death is also explored through the gravesite scene with the skull of Yorick, a court jester, which further emphasizes the inevitability of death and the fragility of life. The play ultimately suggests that death is an inescapable part of the human experience, and it raises questions about what happens after death, particularly in terms of justice and punishment.
Corruption and Deception: The theme of corruption is prevalent throughout the play, particularly in the court of Denmark, which is depicted as morally and politically corrupt. The murder of King Hamlet by Claudius is the initial act of deception, and the play continues to show how lies, betrayal, and treachery permeate the entire royal family. Hamlet’s own sense of justice is driven by his desire to purge Denmark of this moral decay, but his struggle to distinguish between appearance and reality leads to further destruction. The play critiques how corruption within a ruling class can destroy both individuals and society as a whole, with the eventual downfall of nearly every character serving as the tragic consequence of unchecked deceit.
Family and Loyalty: Hamlet explores the complexities of family relationships, particularly between Hamlet and his mother, Gertrude, and between Hamlet and his uncle, Claudius. Hamlet is deeply affected by his mother’s hasty remarriage to Claudius, which he perceives as a betrayal of his father’s memory. His conflict with Gertrude centers on her perceived disloyalty and his desire to understand her motives. Additionally, the theme of loyalty is explored in the relationships between Ophelia and her father Polonius and between Laertes and his father Polonius. The play reveals how family ties are often strained by competing demands of loyalty, personal desire, and the pursuit of justice, leading to betrayals and tragic outcomes.

Character Roles in Hamlet

Prince Hamlet: Prince Hamlet is the tragic hero of the play, whose journey revolves around his inner turmoil, indecision, and quest for revenge. Hamlet’s intelligence, philosophical nature, and contemplative spirit make him one of Shakespeare’s most complex characters. His famous soliloquies allow the audience to see his deep internal struggle with issues of mortality, justice, morality, and duty. Hamlet is both a victim and an agent of revenge, and his inability to act decisively leads to his eventual downfall. His journey reflects the tension between action and thought, and his failure to reconcile these forces results in his tragic demise.
Claudius: Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle, is the play’s main antagonist. He is depicted as a manipulative, ambitious character who seizes the throne through the murder of his brother, King Hamlet. Claudius’s guilt and internal conflict are evident in several key moments, particularly in his soliloquy where he attempts to pray for forgiveness but finds himself unable to truly repent. Claudius is a figure of moral corruption, and his role in the play underscores the themes of deception, betrayal, and the consequences of ambition.
Gertrude: Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother, is a complex character who is caught between her love for her son and her new loyalty to her second husband, Claudius. Her hasty remarriage after the death of King Hamlet is a source of deep emotional conflict for Hamlet, who feels betrayed by her actions. Gertrude’s character reflects the themes of loyalty, guilt, and feminine agency in a male-dominated society. While she is not directly involved in her husband’s murder, her actions—especially her marriage to Claudius—play a key role in the unfolding tragedy. Gertrude’s ultimate fate, dying as a result of drinking poisoned wine meant for Hamlet, serves as a tragic conclusion to her role in the drama.
Ophelia: Ophelia is a young noblewoman who is caught between her loyalty to her father, Polonius, and her love for Hamlet. Throughout the play, she is portrayed as vulnerable, obedient, and emotionally fragile, and she is subject to the manipulations of those around her. Ophelia’s tragic death—whether a result of suicide or an accident—serves as a symbol of the devastation caused by the conflict and deceit in the royal family. Her madness, which manifests after the death of her father, represents the destructive impact of mental anguish and the loss of self in the face of overwhelming sorrow.
Polonius: Polonius, Ophelia’s father and Laertes’s advisor, is portrayed as a verbose, scheming, and often foolish character. Despite his many faults, Polonius’s role in the play serves to highlight the theme of loyalty and betrayal. He is instrumental in spying on Hamlet and trying to manipulate his relationship with Ophelia, believing it to be the source of Hamlet’s madness. Polonius’s death at Hamlet’s hands is a pivotal moment, and his tragic demise underscores the dangers of intrigue and the unintended consequences of deception.
Laertes: Laertes, Ophelia’s brother, serves as a foil to Hamlet in several respects. Like Hamlet, Laertes is motivated by the desire to avenge his father’s death (Polonius) and is quick to act without the hesitation that Hamlet displays. Laertes’s impulsive quest for revenge mirrors Hamlet’s, and the two characters’ final confrontation is one of the play’s climactic moments. Laertes’s character represents the tension between action and reflection, and his eventual forgiveness of Hamlet underscores the play’s exploration of the moral cost of revenge.

Linguistic Tools in Hamlet

Soliloquies: Shakespeare uses soliloquies extensively in Hamlet, allowing the audience to gain insight into Hamlet’s inner turmoil, philosophical reflections, and emotional state. The most famous of these is the "To be, or not to be" soliloquy, in which Hamlet contemplates the nature of life, death, and suffering. These soliloquies serve as a window into Hamlet’s psyche and provide a framework for the play’s broader existential questions. Through these monologues, Shakespeare explores themes of mortality, consciousness,