12-1-11
Strong Emotions Overtake Actions
Why do people let their emotions take control of their actions? Human beings let id influence their lives, man lets himself stray from reality to satisfy the id with pleasure. In The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, William Shakespeare displays the characters in the play doing everything in their power to fulfill their id. The play starts off with Claudius killing his brother to obtain the crown and the Queen. Hamlet learns through the ghost of his late Father that Claudius is the one who has killed the King and not a snake which is the story told about the death of the King. Hamlet then follows his hate into wanting revenge on Claudius. Claudius, the new king of Denmark, also lets his emotions govern over his actions. Claudius commits the greatest sin possible, killing his own brother, in order to fulfill the jealousy he feels toward the King. Claudius desires what he did not have but the late King did. The crown of Denmark and the Queen become an excuse for killing his brother. Anger leads to the destruction in Old Denmark, it causes both Claudius and Hamlet to act based on their feeling. With the feelings controlling the actions of both Hamlet and Claudius they are able to commit their actions and show who they truly are. Strong passion towards others cause true colors to emerge.
Hamlet’s hatred toward Claudius generates his aversion of filial duties. Upon his return to Denmark Hamlet learns that his father has been poisoned and has died. His father’s ghost comes to him and demands revenge on Claudius, the true murderer. With his father’s death in his mind, he now plans for revenge. Hamlet finds Claudius kneeling on the floor praying for forgiveness and his plan for revenge comes to mind. The only mentality Hamlet has is that “A villain kills my father, and/ I, his sole son, to this same villain send/ To heaven” there is only vile emotions towards Claudius (3.3.81-83). The only plan is for Claudius’s