Hamlet is one of the most famous and influential plays by William Shakespeare, written in the early 17th century. It tells the story of Prince Hamlet of Denmark, who seeks revenge for his father’s murder by his uncle Claudius, who has usurped the throne and married Hamlet’s mother Gertrude. Along the way, Hamlet struggles with his own sanity, morality, and identity, as well as dealing with various characters such as his friends Horatio and Rosencrantz, his love interest Ophelia, his father’s ghost, and his rival Laertes.
Hamlet is a complex and rich play that explores many themes such as madness, mortality, corruption, betrayal, revenge, justice, fate, free will, appearance vs reality, etc. It also contains many memorable quotes and soliloquies that reveal the inner thoughts and feelings of the characters. Hamlet is widely regarded as a masterpiece of literature that has inspired countless adaptations and interpretations in various media.
However, to fully appreciate and understand Hamlet’s significance and relevance in today’s world, it is necessary to ask some critical questions and analyze its various aspects. In this article, we will discuss some of the most important questions that can help us gain a deeper insight into Hamlet’s plot, characters, themes, style, etc.
What is the main theme or message of Hamlet?
One of the main questions that can help us analyze Hamlet is what is its main theme or message? What does Shakespeare want us to learn or think about through this play? There are many possible answers to this question depending on how we interpret the play. However, one common answer is that Hamlet’s main theme or message is about the nature of human existence.
Hamlet reflects on various aspects of human existence such as life after death (the ghost), life before death (the play), life in between (the madness), life in society (the court), life in love (the romance), life in action (the revenge), etc. He questions whether there is any meaning or purpose to human existence or whether it is all absurd and futile. He also wonders whether there is any justice or order in human existence or whether it is all chaotic and corrupt.
Hamlet’s quest for revenge against Claudius represents his attempt to find some meaning or purpose in his own existence by restoring justice and order to Denmark. However, he also realizes that revenge may not be enough to satisfy him or to make him happy. He also realizes that revenge may have negative consequences for himself and others such as causing more violence and suffering. He ultimately decides not to kill Claudius but instead accepts his own mortality and fate.
Therefore, one possible way to summarize Hamlet’s main theme or message is that human existence is meaningless unless we create our own meaning through our actions; however, our actions may not always bring us happiness or peace; we should be aware of the consequences of our actions; we should respect ourselves and others; we should seek wisdom and understanding; we should embrace our humanity and mortality.
Who are the main characters of Hamlet?
Another question that can help us analyze Hamlet is who are its main characters? Who are the most important and influential characters in the play? How do they relate to each other and how do they affect the plot? There are many possible answers to this question depending on how we categorize the characters. However, one common answer is that there are four main characters: Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, and Polonius.
Hamlet is the protagonist of the play. He is a prince who has been driven mad by grief, doubt, and guilt. He seeks revenge against Claudius for killing his father, but he also struggles with his own sanity, morality, and identity. He represents the human condition: a mixture of passion, reason, and uncertainty. He also represents a conflict between action and inaction; between duty and desire; between appearance and reality.
Claudius is the antagonist of the play. He is a king who has usurped power by murdering his brother, Hamlet’s father. He marries Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother, in order to secure his throne. He represents evil: corruption, deceit, greed, lust. He also represents a conflict between ambition and conscience; between power and responsibility; between truthfulness and falsehood.
Gertrude is a minor character in the play.
She is a queen who has married Claudius after her husband’s death. She loves Hamlet, but she also fears him and his madness. She represents weakness: ignorance, indecision, submission, guilt. She also represents a conflict between loyalty and betrayal; between love and duty; between motherhood and womanhood.
Polonius is a minor character in the play. He is a counsellor to Claudius and the father of Ophelia and Laertes. He is a busybody who meddles in everyone’s affairs. He represents folly: arrogance, hypocrisy, manipulation, foolishness. He also represents a conflict between wisdom and folly; between honesty and deception; between fatherhood and politics.
These four characters are the main drivers of the plot, as their actions and interactions shape the events and outcomes of the play. They also represent different aspects and perspectives of the main themes and issues of the play, such as revenge, madness, corruption, betrayal, etc.