The Unspoken Truth (Hamlet Analysis)

The Unspoken Truth Hamlet, The Prince of Denmark, son of Queen Gertrude and the late King Hamlet, and the nephew of the present King, Claudius. He is a young man, often hesitant and indecisive with his actions. His character displays a miserable, hostile, contemptuous attitude as well as a powerful inner turmoil after learning of his uncle’s betrayal. It is expected that someone of his stature would act in a more distinct manner. However, through juxtaposition and figurative language, author William Shakespeare portrays a melodramatic change in Hamlet’s attitude between being a “sweet prince” and a man of ambition. Hamlet cannot be classified as both a sweet prince and an eager, ambitious young man. He has a sweet, considerate personality; however, it is shielded by stronger emotions. Instead of ever seeing Hamlet’s kind side, the reader is immediately introduced to the broken side of Hamlet, full of pain and confusion later to be expressed as revenge."She married. O, most wicked speed, to post. With such dexterity to incestuous sheets! It is not nor it cannot come to good: But break, my heart; for I must hold my tongue.”(Act I Scene II) It is here that the sensitive side of Hamlet is revealed. Here he is angered by his mother's immediate marriage to Claudius. It is difficult for Hamlet to show that he is depressed and angered, his mother and uncle don’t believe it is because of their marriage that he is upset, they believe he is still dwelling on the death of his father. It is not until Hamlet’s soliloquy that the reader comprehends his feelings and sense of emotion. From experience I know that my parents always tell me to tell them when I’m conflicted, unfortunately for Hamlet, he feels his mother will not care to know what her son is feeling. Later in Act III Scene IV, Hamlet again comes across as the sensitive, concerned type. When with his mother, Hamlet appeals to his mother, asking her to keep her distance from her husband, (King Claudius) he expresses his love for his mother as well as his honesty and opinion for the situation. This is one of the many sides of Hamlet, his character could be compared to a Rubix cube; nearly impossible to solve with so many emotions mixed in with each other.
In Hamlet's discussion with Polonius (Act II Scene II) Hamlet reveals his sense of humor to the audience. In Hamlet's discussion with Polonius (Act II Scene II) Hamlet reveals his sense of humor to the audience. It is here that Polonius discusses with Hamlet, however Hamlet is acting as if he is mad. As Hamlet rambles on, Polonius is quick to arrange a meeting between Hamlet and his daughter Ophelia.
Hamlet is a very ambitious young person with the motive to do what he sets his mind to. This is an overall is a story of revenge for hamlets father. Not anywhere in the story does hamlet feel that the throne is rightfully his. His sole purpose is to avenge his father’s death and for the marriage between his mother. Hamlet does have a very ambitious demeanor that would to any lengths to accomplish what he wants. But he does not use it in the way of getting the throne for Shakespeare does not make it very apparent that it is that important to him. What is important to him are his friends and family. When the ghost of his father appears to him and he is told that Claudius murdered his father, he does not stop to question if it is really true but makes the decision right away to avenge his father. Hamlet conjures a devious plan to murder his uncle. He acts as if he’s mad; it is here we see that he is willing to lose his royal reputation all to kill his Uncle. The other case where Hamlet sacrifices all is with his relationship with Ophelia. Throughout the story the reader is aware of Hamlets emotion and deep feelings for Ophelia; he let all of that go to perform his acts of revenge, losing Ophelia, the woman he loves in the end. So we see that Hamlet has a strong ambition and determination to accomplish his objective. Although in the beginning Hamlet, was bothered by death and feared death, which prevents him from taking action right away, later in Act IV Scene IV when Hamlet is later inspired by Fortinbras courage and immediate action we see a shift in Hamlets feelings towards death. He no longer fears is and tells us that he is finally ready to take action and kill Claudius. He tells us at this moment that he will go at any lengths just to seek revenge and to do as the ghost had told him.
Throughout the play we see that Hamlet's personality is of both a kind and sweet prince, full of compassion, love, and sensitivity. But we also see a prince that is ready to stop at nothing, going at any lengths and sacrificing even his own life to accomplish a certain task. They are two very different personality traits. They are like the yin and the yang of personality. Two very different sides and faces contrasting each other in every way. But these are some of the characteristics that make up his personality and who he really is.

Prompt
Discuss Hamlet’s character. Is he the “sweet prince,” too sensitive and good for a world as “rank as Denmark has become? Is he an ambitious young man eager to attain the throne of Denmark and willing to go to any extremes to do so? Is he both? Again, this is an easy topic with which to be glib. Look closely and critically at this topic and go beyond the obvious. Support your contentions with close and carful references to the text.