Hamlet Case

Following the dogmatic nature of the revenge tragedy, Shakespeare's timeless piece of literature - Hamlet, relays the axiomatic values of death and vengeance. The foreseeable plot remarkably engages the responder through the intricate psychological battle and the persistent interpersonal conflict. The text modestly exposes the nature of the human condition which delves into the fundamental contextual values that can be represented even through transcending temporal constraints. Hamlet's soliloquies articulate his inner processes and presents a character psychologically complex, yet relatable to the ordinary man through his feelings and predicaments.

William Shakespeare's play Hamlet explores the psyche through the intimate soliloquies that the character articulates. The literary device of dramatic irony is present throughout the play, particularly in the form of these dramatic and confronting soliloquies. The first soliloquy (A1S3) is an invitation into the initial suicidal thoughts in Hamlet's mind as he contemplates death and evaluates the transparency of Claudius, a Machiavellian king who is suspected to have murdered Hamlet's father. Shakespeare uses juxtaposition to highlight the stark contrast between Claudius and his father as a "Hyperion to a satyr". Hamlet's initial philosophical condition is exposed in A2S2 where he, as an existentialistic man in a state of turmoil, believes there 'is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so' and that human existence is no more than a 'quintessence of dust'.

There are misogynistic undertones throughout the texts which all become apparent after Gertrude's abrupt relationship with Claudius. Hamlet begins to associate betrayal with all females in his life, causing conflict between himself and his mother, as well as his partner Ophelia. Hamlet accuses Ophelia of being unfaithful with the metaphor "God hath given you one face, and you make yourselves another." This line gives us insight into the intense human relationships present in the text, which add to its integrity as a timeless piece. The realistic and brutal accusations and interactions that take place under this particular theme give it authenticity which in turn heightens its dramatic appeal.

When contemplating the revenge on Claudius, Hamlet instigates the psychological machination of an antic disposition to appear insane. This deliberate façade is a very different to the madness associated with revenge, but a forged insanity which Hamlet uses to disguise his contorted plan. Though many critics believe that his already fragile sanity was completely shattered at the sight of his father's ghost, there are however, certain moments in the play where the responder is lead to believe that he is indeed putting on this 'antic disposition'. Hamlet states "I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk