Theme Of The Human Condition In Hamlet

Hamlet explores themes that are universal and transcend time. The dichotomy of order and disorder that characterises the human condition and the struggle to make sense of the world are major themes in Hamlet. These timeless concerns that everyone can identify with, have given Hamlet textual integrity and an enduring power to sustain interest since the sixteenth century.

Created in the Elizabethan period of the late sixteenth century, Hamlet depicts a country that is in political and social disorder. My own understanding of the text is that it is in Hamlet’s nature to desire order out of turmoil. Betrayal is the cause of Denmark’s political turmoil, as well as Hamlet’s personal disarray. To restore order, Hamlet seeks to elicit the truth
from deception. To do this, he assumes a directorial role; a metaphor for control, seen especially in the metatheatricality of Act Three Scene Two’s re-enactment of his father’s murder. The tropes of deceit continue throughout the play, as Hamlet attempts to find the truth that must underpin the re-establishment of order in Denmark. This can be seen in Hamlet’s punning when he says to Polonius that he is reading “words, words, words” as he tries to expose Polonius, and his disparaging comment exposing the façade of grief shown by Claudius, who has only “but the trappings and the suits of woe”. The social and political disunity in Denmark is conveyed through the use of the extended metaphor of an “unweeded garden” that produces “things rank and gross in nature”. Although the ‘chain of being’ was of value in Shakespeare’s time, it still has relevance in today’s society. Today, we still struggle to maintain order in our society. This play’s valuing of order is embedded in human nature and is therefore, timeless.

Hamlet is concerned with personal disorder and the struggle to make sense of the world; themes that relate back to the universal human condition.
In Act 3 Scene 1, Hamlet contemplates suicide. He says, “to die, to sleep”, “perchance to dream” for “in sleep what dreams may come”. The repetition of “sleep” and “dream” illustrate Hamlet’s sense of displacement in the world. He asks himself if the “grunt and sweat of a weary life” is worth enduring. Such animal imagery reduces the notion of existence to bestial levels. Hamlet’s desperate personal struggle brings him to confront the deeper mysteries of death, as revealed by the metaphor of the after-life as the “puzzles” of an “undiscovered country”. Furthermore, Hamlet’s personal disarray can be seen in his language in Acts One and Two. For example, reflecting on his mother’s sexual appetite, Hamlet says, “she would hang on him as if increase of appetite had grown by what it fed on, and yet within a month – let me not think on’t; frailty, thy name is woman – …”. Hamlet’s stream of consciousness is shown through the fragmented sentence structure highlighting his confusion and lack of self-identity. Furthermore, Hamlet says that he mopes “like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of [his] cause”. This simile compares Hamlet to a daydreamer who is therefore inactive. Hamlet is shown to be discontent with himself, emphasising his personal disorder. Hamlet’s desire to escape the struggle in making sense of himself and the world, by suiciding,
becomes evident. His reflections are existential in nature, showing concern for what constitutes, and is the meaning of life. The latter highlights his personal turmoil that all people can relate to.

Hamlet’s experiences and attempts to restore personal and social order give him a new-found understanding of the world.
Towards the end of the play, Hamlet comes to refer to himself as “Hamlet the Dane”, symbolic of the resolution of his personal disorder and his existential crises. The word choice is significant as it reveals he has come to accept himself as a Dane. He refers to a “divinity that shapes our ends” and explains that “the readiness is all”. The underlying religious connotations illustrates that Hamlet has achieved personal order and an increased understanding of the world. This notion reflects the ideology of Christianity – the fulfilment of man within the framework of Christian principles. The universality of those themes contributes to Hamlet’s textual integrity.
The restoration of political and social order occurs when Claudius dies and the ownership of Denmark is returned to Fortinbras. Hamlet says in his dying moments, “I do prophesy th’election lights on Fortinbras; he has my dying voice. So tell him [all the events]…the rest is silence”. The chain of being is restored because there is no more political corruption or injustice. Despite the personal and political turmoil Hamlet has experienced, he is satisfied and at peace – symbolised by the word “silence” which is resounding and
settled.

Hamlet’s ability to capture the universal and transcendent theme of order versus disorder gives it its textual integrity. The exploration of social, political and personal disorder, and how it is restored, has maintained critical interest over many years. Various language and dramatic techniques are used to convey such ideas. There are many readings of this text, some of which have influenced the perspective presented. Regardless of one’s context and values, Hamlet will continue to sustain interest for audiences due to its textual integrity.

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bonds of love, kinship and loyalty have been violated by incest, betrayal and murder. Hamlet is outraged by the hypocrisy, deceit and servile passivity of the court and yet ironically, given the duty required of him, he is himself forced to lie and manipulate the truth.

Gertrude – not understanding not noticing – in the player’s speech: she is compared unfavourable to Hecuba [classical allusion] (the loyal wife, mother and queen from Troy who is left to lament piously the death of her family and nation. Gertrude is positioned to look bad by comparison to a moral exemplar such as Hecuba.