Analysis of Shakespeare's Presentation of Family Relationships in Hamlet

Examine Shakespeare's presentation of family relationships in Hamlet.
Consider how these relationships effect your critical understanding of the play.

Essay Plan

Introduction: Include reference to the question, discuss the characters in which I will be analysing, the family relationships, and how it effects my critical understanding of the play.

Paragraph 1: Analysing the insight of the relationship that Hamlet shared with his father (positive) in relation to the relationship that he shares with his uncle Claudius (negative). Compare and contrast, giving views on why Shakespeare has presented such different views on each, referencing to family rivalry and the consequences of certain actions. Support with close textual references.

Paragraph 2: Analysing the relationship that Hamlet shares with his mother, Gertrude. The negative and positive sides of it in relation to the way she never defends him and marries so soon after the death of his father, adding in women in society during the time the play was written, political reasons, how Hamlet views women as weak, etc. Adding in some critics view of if Gertrude committed suicide in order to defend her son on Claudius' plot to kill him with poison. Support this with close textural references.

Paragraph 3: Analysing the relationship that Polonius shares with Laertes and Ophelia; differences and similarities. How Polonious is as a character and the trusts that he does not have in aid of his children, how bad his relationship really is with them. How he considers himself to be the boss; trying to control Laertes and Ophelia's life. The giving out of advice by him, the intimidation. Refer to women treatment at the time. Why Shakespeare uses such characters and why they're important in the sub context of their families relationship and relations back towards Hamlets family. Support using textual references.

Paragraph 4: Analysing the relationship that Laertes shared with Ophelia, comparing them as brother and sister. Laertes being protective and weary of Hamlets character and the thought that he only saw Ophelia as a sexual object and nothing more. Mention of Ophelia's funeral. How weak Ophelia is as a character as she listens to the advice of her brother and father, as women were expected to, reference to the audience and how they could relate. How Laertes plans to avenge the death of his father and sister towards Hamlet, in a duel, and being part of Claudius' plan in doing so. Support using textual references.

Conclusion: Examination of both family relationships and the way that Shakespeare has used them in the plot of the play in a significant way, how they contributed and how they effect my critical understanding of the play itself. Use examples from before in my essay to support why.

Examine Shakespeare's presentation of family relationships in Hamlet.
Consider how these relationships effect your critical understanding of the play.

In William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, the family relationships of the characters is a critical factor in the development of the play, each character as their own and the way in which their contribution effects the plot. The characters in which I will be discussing throughout is, the relationship concerning Hamlet with his dead father, the King, and his mother, Gertrude. As well as, Polonius' relationship concerning his son, Laertes and his daughter, Ophelia, and the sibling relationship that they both also share.

It becomes clear, that Shakespeare captures the generation gap between parents and their children in Hamlet with the use of tension along with the different views of women and the morals of society. These tensions that are felt by each character, in the end, result in, violence and death. This therefore indicates that Shakespeare uses family feuds as one of the main weapons in the destruction of the monarchy and Denmark as a kingdom, who finally fall victim to Norway.

Although King Hamlet is dead, the relationship that Shakespeare displays between Hamlet and his father still shows a strong bond. The mourning of which Hamlet part takes in throughout Act I Scene I & II, shows how deeply affected he was from the death of his father by the fact that he was becoming depressed and having suicidal thoughts. This is supported in Hamlets first soliloquy in Act I Scene II, where he states; 'Thaw and resolve itself into dew/ His canon 'gainst self-slaughter. O God! O God' these are Hamlets words being spoke aloud, he is saying that, if it was not against the law of God then he would kill to rid of the grief. Showing the emotional state of Hamlet as he mourns his fathers death, therefore feeling suicidal because of it. 'Dew' is to die, from 'misery' to 'felicity', wanting to be free. 'Self-slaughter' by the church is forbidden and regarded by the sixth commandment. By adding this emotional perception, Shakespeare is using the character of Hamlet to relate to the audience through the concept of this mourning we, as human beings, share when faced with the death of a loved one. Another point that expresses Hamlets mourning for his father after the rest of the court has stopped is in Act III Scene IV, in Gertrude's room when she confronts her son on his bizarre and threatening behaviour. Hamlet forces his mother to look at pictures of both her husbands and compare them, this certainly shows that Hamlet, at least, thinks that his father was vastly superior to Claudius. When Hamlet is confronting his mother, the audience becomes aware that his mind is not in the right place as he is going insane and is questioning himself. This is supported in Hamlets first soliloquy again, where Hamlet strikes another juxtaposition of father to his uncle. 'Hyperion to a satyr, so loving to my mother' shows the contrasting differences between King Claudius and Hamlets father, stressed by Belleforest, along the Queen allied with the worst who has killed. His quote clearly shows the differences in opinions that Hamlet has for both is uncle and father. He uses the word 'Hyperion', which in Greek mythology was said to be one of the twelve Titan children Gaia; a God like figure, in order to describe his figure. Saying that his father was so great a man that he was almost a god himself, someone Hamlet looked up to in his life. A complete contrast is represented when Hamlet compares his uncle – King Claudius – to a “stayr”, described as being a grotesque creature which is half man, half goat. This suggests that Hamlet links his uncle with such a creature, illustrating the contempt for Claudius. A stayr is also symbolic of sexual promiscuity, demonstrating how Hamlet applies this to Claudius in the sense that he has stolen Gertrude and prided her as his own and the mere thought of them having sexual intercourse disgusts him.

These comparisons and contrasts that Hamlet keeps referring about his father and uncle Claudius are seen within the play, with some sarcastic yet true comments made. One of which is also featured in Hamlets first soliloquy, when he says 'My father's brother – but no more like my father than I to Hercules' This lets us see that Hamlet is now discussing how different in personal his father was to his uncle, he says this by not describing him as his uncle directly but as his fathers brother, which implies that Hamlet does not want to know him as his uncle in his time of mourning. “But no more like my father” this is an interesting quote as it gives insight as to how Hamlet views them as individuals, similar to comparing Claudius to a beast and his father to a God, saying that there is nothing comparable between the pair of them apart from the fact that they are brothers. To take a mockery on this, Hamlet furthers it by comparing himself to Hercules; who was able to perform super human tasks. And yet, even before his tasks has come to him, Hamlet gives an indication of his feelings of inadequacy. This is more significant in that he is made to negative in advance a comparison found in earlier versions of the story. Shakespeare uses soliloquy as they are an important factor in determining the thoughts of characters, namely Hamlet, which allows a deeper meaning on his mind. However much they may have shared a bond as father and son, there is not a lot of things that Hamlet and the dead King shared. The old King Hamlet was a man of action, much like his brother Claudius, though Hamlet was not, as he was more a thinker, Hamlet favoured his words more than action. When others characters speak of the old King, they often recall his military victories, while his son is more psychologically strong, deliberate and devious, which, ironically could mirror the own behaviour of Claudius his uncle and could suggest another reason why Hamlet hates his uncle so much, as they are more alike than he feels comfortable with. Hamlet seems to admire his father greatly, as scholar men often do admire men of action, which could explain how heavily Hamlet felt it right to avenge his fathers killing. While the dead King must have accepted his son as he was rather being disappointed that Hamlet did not take after him. This, therefore, suggests that Shakespeare creates Old King Hamlet as a war hero, and although Hamlet does not follow in his foot steps, he views his father as a God like figure in the political justice in the Kingdom of Denmark are also the views that the rest of the people felt, relating back to the audience, that, as children – like Hamlet – people looked upon their parents as major role models and as if they were the most influential figures in their lives.

The relationship that is shared between Gertrude and Hamlet, is one that seems to revolve around the exception regarding the rule of parent-child connections. Hamlet clearly shows distress towards his mother marriage to Claudius, however, there are still some aspects during the play that show positive signs of a relationship between mother and son.

His concern surrounding his mothers incest, which at the time marrying their husbands brother was considered to be against the law and morally wrong, demonstrating that, however much he dislikes what she is doing, he still cares for his mother and the added thoughts of Gertrude and Claudius sharing sexual relations, repels him. A quote in Act III Scene IV describes how much his mother relations effect him as he says; 'Good night. But go not to my uncle's bed' this is when they are caught in some kind of debate, where Hamlet tries to convince Gertrude that all that she has done is immoral and a betrayal of his father, her late husband. Hamlets words actually do affect Gertrude, because in the next scene, she comes to terms of her sins and when Claudius tries to put his arm on her body, she refuses as she regrets what she has done after learning about the truth of her husbands death. This quote reveals that Hamlet still cares about his mother because as he warns her about sleeping with Claudius again as he wants her to become virtuous again. It is clear in the play that Gertrude listens to her sons words, showing the great impact Hamlet has over her. Shakespeare uses this in Hamlets favour and therefore shows how Gertrude is always living in the shadow of her sons decisions and views but, at the same time, is captive by his love for his mother and her love for him. However, Shakespeare, throughout the play and not just towards his mothers relationship, makes Hamlet a character that is disgusted by sexual relations and sexual intercourse which then, therefore, could contradict that the only thing on his mind when he portrays women, is a sexual object.

The same can be said with roles reversed, as Gertrude shows more than enough worry over her son Hamlet, yet lacks the defending and protection over him as she constantly defends that of her new husband; Claudius. Her worries are strengthened especially by Hamlets actions, when he acts like a madman. This love and worrisome edge to her character is shown when when she asks him not to return to Wittenberg. This is because Claudius has manipulated her to see that sending Hamlet away is wrong and Gertrude agrees as she is worried about the mental state of her son, yet, unbeknown to her, it is because Claudius follows a quote; “keeps your friends close, but your enemies closer”. Also when she shares her hope with Ophelia, that the young woman would have married her Hamlet and divulges her wish for his happiness. This is because, Gertrude wants Hamlet to be happy with Ophelia, however his happiness is over-shadowed by the mourning and anger he feels towards Claudius and his mother, which, lead to the way he treats Ophelia when he acts like he has succumbed to madness. More insight comes at the end of the play when she lies dying after drinking the poison drink meant for her son, showing how Gertrude specifically calls upon Hamlet. It is clear that Hamlet is distraught by the death of his mother, after only losing his father months before, as she calls out; 'No, no! The drink, the drink! O my dear Hamlet/ The drink, the drink! I am poisoned' to which, her son calls out to find the treachery that his mother has been subjected too, therefore indicates how close of a relation ship they truly shared. However, many critics question why Shakespeare's write this part in the play, believing that she drinks the poison wine as an act of maternal protectiveness, thus, saving her sons death and taking her own, an act of suicide in her sons favour of life.

Moreover, the actions of his mother therefore influence his view of women in society in general, at the period of time. With a referral to his mothers marriage within two months of his father – the King – passing away, it could indicate that this is one of the most important factors to which Hamlet wants to kill Claudius, however, not his own mother. Shakespeare uses Gertrude's marriage to Claudius as a sign of her weakness in her character. However audience's do not know what to make of her, as there are many things unknown, and the play is wrote in such a way that we only see her through two sides; Claudius' and Hamlets, therefore adds a shadowy depth of questions surrounding her. Through the character Hamlet, and his relationship with her, we learn that because of her weakness shown in marrying Claudius, Hamlet then associates this weakness with all women. In Hamlet's first Soliloquy, he states; 'Frialty, thy name is woman.' The "woman" of which Hamlet is referring to specifically is his mother, he feels that she was weak, or not strong enough to mourn his father longer. Though, does show that acknowledges that his mother did Hamlet goes on further to say that not even an animal or beast, who has no reasoning skills, would have abandoned the mourning so quickly. All in all, this shows how angry and confused Hamlet is by his mother's remarriage. We see through his character, Hamlets picture of a woman who one day lived obediently and in the shadow of one king to whom she was devoted to before the next day, allies herself in politics and is a weak human being. Already bringing into light, from his words, that he views all women the same way as his mother and could suggest why he treats Ophelia in such ways as he feels himself authoritative to her weakened personality and what is expected of her in society.

The relationship that Polonius, the councillor of State, shares with his two children; Ophelia and Laertes, is much more worse than that of Hamlet's relationship with his own parents. Shakespeare creates Polonius as a character that should not be seen in the light with no dignity and no respect, although is pompous as a person. With this pompous attitude, shows, how he bosses himself over his children. Towards his daughter Ophelia, it can be indicated that Polonius almost intimidates her with his commanding demeanour and when speaking to her, he treats her the way one would expect a man of his time and stature to treat a daughter, as property. It becomes clear that, in Act I Scene III, Polonius' demanding character as a father is portrayed. 'Tender yourself more dearly' By saying to Ophelia, to 'tender yourself more dearly' Polonius is suggesting that his daughter needs to show greater care for herself. The commercial sense continues, with Ophelia herself becoming now the object of exchange and with it combines a further sense of feeling tender. The selfishness of his character is implemented when he goes on to say; 'You'll tender me a fool' Polonius sustains the notion of the offer of a bad bargain, but is now a victim himself. As by this Polonius means that Ophelia must not go against his words and make him a fool in the eyes of their family's dignity and the courts. It is as if Polonius is almost scared that Ophelia, by being in a relationship with Hamlet, will get pregnant out of wedlock and with a man who favours his words more than his actions. Men around this period of time people adopted the thought that a woman should bring honour and fortune to her family. The image that Ophelia projects for Polonius very much concerns himself. He is sure that Hamlet would never choose Ophelia to wife. Hence, he amuses himself with off-colour allusions to Hamlet's intentions and dashes any hopes she might have that her father would help her make a match.

The affect of which this had upon Ophelia herself is as suggested by her father, she obeys him. 'I shall obey, my lord' which is spoken in Act I Scene III, where, in ways, Polonius is forcing his daughter to depend on him and his intentions to make himself appear to be a great father. Polonius tells her that the man that she loves is using her, that he will discard her, and that she should not trust her own heart. She is a dutiful daughter because her father has taught her to be seen and not heard, she listens and promises to honour the men's wishes. No choice remains to her now but to break off all relations with Hamlet. Though Shakespeare tells us nothing to help us see into her heart, the actress playing Ophelia must know what she feels about Hamlet. This dependency that Ophelia has on her father, eventually causes her to go mad and commit suicide after her death as she feels that there is no one there to make decisions for her and advise her on her life. This also illuminates the weakness of women in society during this time and how that continued to be a problem for many years afterwards as men ruled the world. This perception of infallibility ruins Polonius' relationship with Ophelia.

Laertes and Polonius are two men that are similar attitudes towards most things including Ophelia's well being towards Prince Hamlet's intentions, nevertheless, they share a relationship that can be viewed as much more worse than Polonius' with Ophelia's. The desire for domination over his own son is one of the main themes that can be subjected to the character of Polonius and this come into light at the start of Act II when he instructs Reynaldo to bring damage to a good reputation that his son, Laertes, held. 'You, laying these slight sullies on my son/ As ’twere a thing a little soiled i' th' working' This is Polonius' plan and as he explains it to Reynaldo as to why he is doing it, it becomes clear, he wants servant to hint to friends of Laertes faults and little sins until the other person seemingly agrees. Polonius is willing to sacrifice the image of his son for his own control. This parasitic attitude is not healthy in a relationship between a father and a son.

Though, in contrast to their strained and challenged relationship, when Laertes is informed of his father's death, he returns to Denmark, and leads a mob to storm and take the castle. Laertes confronts the King, thinking he was responsible for Polonius' death. The King explains to him who the real killer was, and incites Laertes to kill Hamlet and avenge Polonius' death. 'I dare damnation/ Only I’ll be revenged/Most thoroughly for my father' This clearly shows, that although he and his father did never share a proper father/son relationship, that Laertes was still attached to his father and therefore devastated to hear of his death. This could suggest that, just like his sister, Laertes was depend on his father because Polonius had forced it upon his son. Throughout Hamlet, Polonius asserts his dominance over his son, leading to a one-way relationship.

In comparison to a parents relationship with their child/children, sibling relationships are just as important within the play of Hamlet, more so between Laertes and Ophelia. It is clear between the two of them in their relationship as brother and sister that Laertes is a more dominant figure who looks out for his sister well being.

Laertes care for his sister's relationship and well being is echoed in Act I Scene III. A scene in which features a conversation that Ophelia shares with Laertes, concerning Hamlet and Ophelia's relationship with him. It is clear from the warning that Laertes gives Ophelia, and her response to it, that Ophelia has a deep respect for her brother, which is built on love and a good relationship. This is shown in the way that Laertes counsels her to be very wary of Hamlet and getting too close to him, in the warning to “fear” the potential consequences of becoming sexually involved with Hamlet. 'Fear it, my dear sister/ And Keep you in the rear of your affection/ Out of the shot and danger of desire' It is clear from what Laertes says that the primes concern to him is his sisters safety, showing his love and care for her. Considering that especially the way in which he refers to Ophelia as “my dear sister” and urges her to keep away from Hamlet for her own good. Laertes is warning Ophelia to control her feelings an desires as swell as stay clear of danger. 'And Keep you in the rear of your affection' This is a military metaphor, which Ophelia's affection is figured as the forward troops, exposed to danger, while she herself is to stay behind out of reach of the enemy shot.

In the Scene concerning Ophelia's funeral in Act V Scene I, Laertes care for his sister is shown in a different light through the mourning of her death. As Ophelia is laid to rest in the earth, Laertes becomes infuriated with the priest, who says that to give Ophelia a proper Christian burial would profane the dead. Laertes leaps into Ophelia’s grave to hold her once again in his arms; grief-stricken and outraged.'May violets spring/ A minist'ring angel shall my sister be/ When thou liest howling' As Laertes speaks this, it is obvious that devastation has taken over his behaviour and he sees it wrong not to give his sister a proper Christian burial. “May violets spring” The violets represent a contrast with the withered violets of Ophelia's lover. As the emblem of faithful love they combine with the willow of forsaken love to suggest the nature of Ophelia's tragedy. They are also 'violettis of parfit chastite' which rebuts the fears of, while fair and unpolluted significantly contradicts. We cannot doubt that Laertes here voices the sentiment of the play, though the significance of this passage was strangely overlooked by those who used to imagine Ophelia seduced.

Throughout Shakespeare's play Hamlet, there is a distinct link into how unhealthy parent and children relationships really are. Through the character of Hamlet, we see that the relationship with his parents is not all bad as shown through; the mourning of his father's death and how far he is willing to go to avenge his father killer, to how, although, disgusted by his mother swift marriage to Claudius how much he cares and worries about her and how that is something Gertrude mirrors. However, other parent-child relationships in the play are quite dismal, namely, through Polonius' family, this is due to the fact that he dominates his relationships with Ophelia and Laertes, lacking in respect for both. Also shared between Claudius and Hamlet. These frictions felt, leads to the pain and suffering of many characters throughout the play, as the dysfunctional families are essentially the cause of Hamlet's tragic nature and without these factors, the play would have been completely different.