The Psychology Of Hamlet In Shakespeare's Hamlet
Psychology Of Hamlet
Death is never an easy thing to handle. Imagine losing the person you look up to, idolize, and has always helped you when you 've fallen. After this kind of tragedy, it is not easy to move on and act like everything is fine. Now picture what it would feel like to discover it was your own uncle that took that person away; your father, his brother. Hamlet expected his family to grieve. He assumed that they would all be as heart broken as he was, but they weren 't. Hamlet 's expectations were simply natural, therefore his anger and frustration toward his family was logical.
Hamlet lost his father unexpectedly and it is easy to assume that he was in shock. Denial, the first stage of grief (Axelrod), is exemplified when …show more content…
Hamlet states, " 'Tis an unweeded garden That grows to seed. Things rank and gross in nature. Possess it merely. That it should come to this." (Shakespeare I, ii) Hamlet always loved and admired his father. It was impossible for him to see his father fall. His initial way of coping with the tragedy was to deny it all together. However, he couldn 't when he realized that everyone around him had easily moved on. (Shakespeare I, i) Dealing with his father 's death was difficult enough until his mother decided to marry his uncle Claudius after only two months. It is simply ones instinct to react with hostility to this kind of situation. So many emotions were going through Hamlet 's head such as anger, frustration, confusion, and betrayal. Anger or pain is the second stage of grieving (Axelrod). Hamlet could not fathom the idea of his mother moving on so fast. This series of events, including the visit from the ghost of his father, fueled him to seek revenge. His anger towards Claudius rose quickly as well as his anger toward his mother and women in general (Shakespeare I, iv).
A very indecisive Hamlet displays signs of the next stage; bargaining. Hamlet desperately wanted to seek vengeance for his father 's death. However, he could not bring himself to sin. Hamlet says, "Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell." (Shakespeare II, ii) He expresses this when he could not decide whether to disobey God or to disobey his father. Hamlet struggles with inner conflict to regain control. He is so used to examining every possibility that he puts much thought into deciding who 's will he is going to fulfill.
At this point in the play the fourth stage of grief, depression (Axelrod), has reached Hamlet. I have of late—but wherefore I know not—lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises, and indeed it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory; this most excellent canopy, the air—look you, this brave o 'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire—why, it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapors. What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty! In form and moving how express and admirable! In action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god! The beauty of the world. The paragon of animals. And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? Man delights not me. No, nor woman neither. (Shakespeare II, ii)
He no longer enjoys anything. All the little things that people find beauty in no longer fascinate him. Hamlet starts to question his life and at one point wishes his "flesh would melt" and also that God had not made suicide a sin (Shakespeare I, ii). It is clear that the depression is truly effecting him to the point in which he questions his own life. Hamlet continues to struggle with internal conflicts.
Along with depression comes reflection. This is something that Hamlet seems to be doing quite often, reflecting about his life. He demonstrates these thoughts through the most famous line of the play, "To be, or not to be? That is the question." (Shakespeare III, i) In that soliloquy he contemplates the many advantages and disadvantages to staying alive. He claims that it would be much simpler to just end his life. However, he describes that there is a reason why most people do not commit suicide and this reason is fear. People are afraid of the unknown, or in Hamlet 's words they are "cowards"
(Shakespeare III, i).
The fifth and final stage of grief is acceptance (Axelrod). The only way for Hamlet to move forward with his life is to stop worrying about everything his father told him and to begin the accept it and act upon it. Once he has done that he may then find happiness. (http://dramatica.com/analysis/hamlet#oc) Later, he finally decides to let destiny take its course, "There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will—" (Shakespeare V, ii)
Instead of simply asking Hamlet how he is doing, most characters in the play receive their information second hand by asking each other to talk to Hamlet. They all want to know how Hamlet seems to be ( HYPERLINK "http://dramatica.com/analysis/hamlet#oc"http://dramatica.com/analysis/hamlet#oc). In the long run this effects the characters because they do not have the true facts.
“Seems,” madam? Nay, it is. I know not “seems.” 'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,
Nor customary suits of solemn black,
Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,
No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,
Nor the dejected 'havior of the visage,
Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief,
That can denote me truly. These indeed “seem,”
For they are actions that a man might play.
But I have that within which passeth show,
These but the trappings and the suits of woe. (Shakespeare I, ii)
In this monologue Hamlet attempts to explain to Gertrude that his grief is real and not just an act. Regardless of what Hamlet told her she does not believe that his grief was true. This is one of the contributing factors that leads to Hamlet 's verbal aggression towards Gertrude. Also, he is aggravated that his mother married his uncle after only two months (Johnson). Hamlet is getting absolutely no support from his mother which only contributes to all his mixed emotions.
Another person Hamlet was not on good terms with was Claudius, of course. Claudius not only murdered his father, married his mother, and took the throne, but he also called Hamlet a wimp for grieving for his father 's death. Claudius was the one responsible for ruining Hamlet 's happy home yet could show absolutely no sympathy to his new stepson. Hamlet could not wait to get rid of Claudius.
Ophelia is completely and totally in love with Hamlet. However, he tells her he is not in love with her. It is quite possible that Hamlet truly does love her, however, his mother has caused him to lose all trust in women. Also, Ophelia is an easily manipulated, innocent girl. Therefore, it is logical to presume that Hamlet enjoys to have total control over her. Since he has been losing control of everything around him, it is easy for Hamlet to manipulate her. Another problem between Ophelia and Hamlet is the fact that she is so close to her father and brother. "As sweet and innocent as her and Hamlet’s seem in the beginning, she is close enough to her brother and father to listen to them when they advise her to stay away from him and deny his advances. Also, when her father wants her to deceive Hamlet by letting Claudius and himself listen in on her conversation with him, she readily agrees." (Johnson)
Horatio is practically the only person supporting Hamlet throughout the play. Hamlet did not trust anyone, yet he chose to trust Horatio. It can be assumed that Shakespeare wanted Horatio to be the only one to survive because he would be certain to tell the true story. Which is what occurred, Horatio told King Fortinbras the entire story.
Later on in the play Gertrude finally begins to believed everything Hamlet is saying. She proves that the bond between mother and son is stronger than other things. Gertrude asks, "what shall I do?" (Shakespeare Act III, iv), with this she gives Hamlet total control.
A respectable argument is the possibility that Hamlet suffered from Oedipus Complex. Oedipus was a king that murdered his father in order to marry his own mother ( HYPERLINK "http://www.shmoop.com/hamlet/hamlet-character.html"http://www.shmoop.com/hamlet/hamlet-character.html). A renowned psychologist named, Sigmund Freud, describes the Oedipus Complex as sexual desire for a parent of the opposite sex. Also through this desire the child gains a hatred for the parent of the same sex (Oswalt).
Hamlet had such a strong resentment toward Claudius, however it seemed to go deeper than his father 's death. Hamlet constantly makes references to his mothers sexual life. He speaks of it almost as if he was jealous.
Not this, by no means, that I bid you do—
Let the bloat king tempt you again to bed,
Pinch wanton on your cheek, call you his mouse,
And let him, for a pair of reechy kisses
Or paddling in your neck with his damned fingers
(Shakespeare III, iv)
Although, in some way Claudius has done what Hamlet wanted to do.
So subconsciously Hamlet can not kill Claudius because he wants to be him. This explains why it took Hamlet so long to murder Claudius. Throughout the entire play Hamlet never had the courage to murder Claudius and seek the vengeance for his father. However, when his mother dies of the poisoned wine, it triggers an immediate reaction. Hamlet displays his true love for his mother (Shakespeare V, ii).
Hamlet was forced through a long roller coaster ride of tragic events. It only makes sense for Hamlet to react in the way he did because it is all natural, based on psychology. He was able to work through the different problems coming his way to die a noble death, to die a hero.
Works Cited
Oswalt, Angela. "Sigmund Freud and Child Development ." . N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar 2013. .
"Hamlet Character Analysis." . N.p., 2013. Web. 18 Mar 2013. .
"Hamlet Comprehensive Story Form." . N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar 2013. .
Johnson, Amanda . "Relationships in Hamlet." . N.p., 20 Apr 2005. Web. 25 Mar 2013. .
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Computer Software. Apple App Store Vers. 3.2.2. Readdle, 12 Oct 2012. < HYPERLINK
"https://itunes.apple.com/md/app/shakespeare/id285035416?mt=8"https://itunes.apple.com/md/app/shakespeare/id285035416?mt=8>
Death is never an easy thing to handle. Imagine losing the person you look up to, idolize, and has always helped you when you 've fallen. After this kind of tragedy, it is not easy to move on and act like everything is fine. Now picture what it would feel like to discover it was your own uncle that took that person away; your father, his brother. Hamlet expected his family to grieve. He assumed that they would all be as heart broken as he was, but they weren 't. Hamlet 's expectations were simply natural, therefore his anger and frustration toward his family was logical.
Hamlet lost his father unexpectedly and it is easy to assume that he was in shock. Denial, the first stage of grief (Axelrod), is exemplified when …show more content…
Hamlet states, " 'Tis an unweeded garden That grows to seed. Things rank and gross in nature. Possess it merely. That it should come to this." (Shakespeare I, ii) Hamlet always loved and admired his father. It was impossible for him to see his father fall. His initial way of coping with the tragedy was to deny it all together. However, he couldn 't when he realized that everyone around him had easily moved on. (Shakespeare I, i) Dealing with his father 's death was difficult enough until his mother decided to marry his uncle Claudius after only two months. It is simply ones instinct to react with hostility to this kind of situation. So many emotions were going through Hamlet 's head such as anger, frustration, confusion, and betrayal. Anger or pain is the second stage of grieving (Axelrod). Hamlet could not fathom the idea of his mother moving on so fast. This series of events, including the visit from the ghost of his father, fueled him to seek revenge. His anger towards Claudius rose quickly as well as his anger toward his mother and women in general (Shakespeare I, iv).
A very indecisive Hamlet displays signs of the next stage; bargaining. Hamlet desperately wanted to seek vengeance for his father 's death. However, he could not bring himself to sin. Hamlet says, "Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell." (Shakespeare II, ii) He expresses this when he could not decide whether to disobey God or to disobey his father. Hamlet struggles with inner conflict to regain control. He is so used to examining every possibility that he puts much thought into deciding who 's will he is going to fulfill.
At this point in the play the fourth stage of grief, depression (Axelrod), has reached Hamlet. I have of late—but wherefore I know not—lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises, and indeed it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory; this most excellent canopy, the air—look you, this brave o 'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire—why, it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapors. What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty! In form and moving how express and admirable! In action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god! The beauty of the world. The paragon of animals. And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? Man delights not me. No, nor woman neither. (Shakespeare II, ii)
He no longer enjoys anything. All the little things that people find beauty in no longer fascinate him. Hamlet starts to question his life and at one point wishes his "flesh would melt" and also that God had not made suicide a sin (Shakespeare I, ii). It is clear that the depression is truly effecting him to the point in which he questions his own life. Hamlet continues to struggle with internal conflicts.
Along with depression comes reflection. This is something that Hamlet seems to be doing quite often, reflecting about his life. He demonstrates these thoughts through the most famous line of the play, "To be, or not to be? That is the question." (Shakespeare III, i) In that soliloquy he contemplates the many advantages and disadvantages to staying alive. He claims that it would be much simpler to just end his life. However, he describes that there is a reason why most people do not commit suicide and this reason is fear. People are afraid of the unknown, or in Hamlet 's words they are "cowards"
(Shakespeare III, i).
The fifth and final stage of grief is acceptance (Axelrod). The only way for Hamlet to move forward with his life is to stop worrying about everything his father told him and to begin the accept it and act upon it. Once he has done that he may then find happiness. (http://dramatica.com/analysis/hamlet#oc) Later, he finally decides to let destiny take its course, "There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will—" (Shakespeare V, ii)
Instead of simply asking Hamlet how he is doing, most characters in the play receive their information second hand by asking each other to talk to Hamlet. They all want to know how Hamlet seems to be ( HYPERLINK "http://dramatica.com/analysis/hamlet#oc"http://dramatica.com/analysis/hamlet#oc). In the long run this effects the characters because they do not have the true facts.
“Seems,” madam? Nay, it is. I know not “seems.” 'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,
Nor customary suits of solemn black,
Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,
No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,
Nor the dejected 'havior of the visage,
Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief,
That can denote me truly. These indeed “seem,”
For they are actions that a man might play.
But I have that within which passeth show,
These but the trappings and the suits of woe. (Shakespeare I, ii)
In this monologue Hamlet attempts to explain to Gertrude that his grief is real and not just an act. Regardless of what Hamlet told her she does not believe that his grief was true. This is one of the contributing factors that leads to Hamlet 's verbal aggression towards Gertrude. Also, he is aggravated that his mother married his uncle after only two months (Johnson). Hamlet is getting absolutely no support from his mother which only contributes to all his mixed emotions.
Another person Hamlet was not on good terms with was Claudius, of course. Claudius not only murdered his father, married his mother, and took the throne, but he also called Hamlet a wimp for grieving for his father 's death. Claudius was the one responsible for ruining Hamlet 's happy home yet could show absolutely no sympathy to his new stepson. Hamlet could not wait to get rid of Claudius.
Ophelia is completely and totally in love with Hamlet. However, he tells her he is not in love with her. It is quite possible that Hamlet truly does love her, however, his mother has caused him to lose all trust in women. Also, Ophelia is an easily manipulated, innocent girl. Therefore, it is logical to presume that Hamlet enjoys to have total control over her. Since he has been losing control of everything around him, it is easy for Hamlet to manipulate her. Another problem between Ophelia and Hamlet is the fact that she is so close to her father and brother. "As sweet and innocent as her and Hamlet’s seem in the beginning, she is close enough to her brother and father to listen to them when they advise her to stay away from him and deny his advances. Also, when her father wants her to deceive Hamlet by letting Claudius and himself listen in on her conversation with him, she readily agrees." (Johnson)
Horatio is practically the only person supporting Hamlet throughout the play. Hamlet did not trust anyone, yet he chose to trust Horatio. It can be assumed that Shakespeare wanted Horatio to be the only one to survive because he would be certain to tell the true story. Which is what occurred, Horatio told King Fortinbras the entire story.
Later on in the play Gertrude finally begins to believed everything Hamlet is saying. She proves that the bond between mother and son is stronger than other things. Gertrude asks, "what shall I do?" (Shakespeare Act III, iv), with this she gives Hamlet total control.
A respectable argument is the possibility that Hamlet suffered from Oedipus Complex. Oedipus was a king that murdered his father in order to marry his own mother ( HYPERLINK "http://www.shmoop.com/hamlet/hamlet-character.html"http://www.shmoop.com/hamlet/hamlet-character.html). A renowned psychologist named, Sigmund Freud, describes the Oedipus Complex as sexual desire for a parent of the opposite sex. Also through this desire the child gains a hatred for the parent of the same sex (Oswalt).
Hamlet had such a strong resentment toward Claudius, however it seemed to go deeper than his father 's death. Hamlet constantly makes references to his mothers sexual life. He speaks of it almost as if he was jealous.
Not this, by no means, that I bid you do—
Let the bloat king tempt you again to bed,
Pinch wanton on your cheek, call you his mouse,
And let him, for a pair of reechy kisses
Or paddling in your neck with his damned fingers
(Shakespeare III, iv)
Although, in some way Claudius has done what Hamlet wanted to do.
So subconsciously Hamlet can not kill Claudius because he wants to be him. This explains why it took Hamlet so long to murder Claudius. Throughout the entire play Hamlet never had the courage to murder Claudius and seek the vengeance for his father. However, when his mother dies of the poisoned wine, it triggers an immediate reaction. Hamlet displays his true love for his mother (Shakespeare V, ii).
Hamlet was forced through a long roller coaster ride of tragic events. It only makes sense for Hamlet to react in the way he did because it is all natural, based on psychology. He was able to work through the different problems coming his way to die a noble death, to die a hero.
Works Cited
Oswalt, Angela. "Sigmund Freud and Child Development ." . N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar 2013. .
"Hamlet Character Analysis." . N.p., 2013. Web. 18 Mar 2013. .
"Hamlet Comprehensive Story Form." . N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar 2013. .
Johnson, Amanda . "Relationships in Hamlet." . N.p., 20 Apr 2005. Web. 25 Mar 2013. .
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Computer Software. Apple App Store Vers. 3.2.2. Readdle, 12 Oct 2012. < HYPERLINK
"https://itunes.apple.com/md/app/shakespeare/id285035416?mt=8"https://itunes.apple.com/md/app/shakespeare/id285035416?mt=8>