How does Shakespeare display Hamlets limitations as a conventional revenger Essays

How does Shakespeare display Hamlets limitations as a conventional revenger Essays How does Shakespeare display Hamlets limitations as a conventional revenger Essay How does Shakespeare display Hamlets limitations as a conventional revenger Essay the son of a dear father murdered , Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words. The simile here refers to Hamlets general lack of action, but is ironic in that he is talking at length about the fact that he talks too much. There is clearly an element of self loathing in this quotation and the frustration shown here might give some reason for Hamlets suicidal tendencies. This is another aspect of the play that modern audiences could relate to, as even though Hamlets reasons for not committing suicide would be more relevant to an Elizabethan audience, the contemplation of suicide is definitely a current issue. According to a survey, almost half of all people under twenty one have considered suicide at some point. One major limitation of Hamlet as a revenger is his mistrust of the messenger, his fathers ghost. His initial reaction upon their first encounter is one of fear. Angels and ministers of grace defend us! This feeling persists for a major part of the play. Hamlets mistrust represents a crucial part of Hamlets character, his analytical mind. He refuses to take what he sees at face value . This causes deep suspicion in several situations which comes to the fore in a confrontation with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Why, look how unworthy a thing you make of me! You would play upon me; you would seem to know my stops. Hamlets state of mind has led him to doubt his friends (with good reason). His fear of being taken advantage of is effectively represented by the metaphor of being played like a musical instrument. Hamlets deliberation and instinctive mistrust again strongly contrasts with the mind of a traditional revenger. They possess a mind of action, not of careful thought and consideration. When we compare Hamlets uncertainty over the provenance of the ghost to Laertes reaction to his fathers death, Laertes is clearly far more decisive. Hamlets mind is far more academic than that of a typical revenge hero. His ability to analyse leads to careful consideration of all actions. However, this intense analysis often prevents Hamlet from carrying out a productive course of action, he loses the power of action in the energy of resolve. A good example of this is when he comes upon Claudius at prayer Now might I do it pat, now he is praying; And now Ill dot and so he goes to heaven ; And so I am revenged that would be scanned. Hamlet clearly states here that he must consider his actions, and eventually decides not to kill him at that point, but instead to wait until, when he is drunk asleep or in his rage. The irony comes when Claudius reveals that he could not pray, saying my words fly up, my thoughts remain below. This makes a mockery of Hamlets careful deliberation and shows that a conventional revenger would have been more suitable for this task. A major cause for Hamlets seclusion at the beginning of the play is the emotional trauma he had suffered due to his mothers remarriage. His constant references throughout the play show his obsession. Horatio: My lord, I came to see your fathers funeral. Hamlet : I pray thee, do not mock me, fellow-student; I think it was to see my mothers wedding. He is clearly bitter and makes no attempts to conceal his view of the situation. As a result of his sense of betrayal, Hamlet feels a shadow has been cast over the moral purity of the entire world. How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable Seem to me all the uses of this world! Fie on t! O, fie! Tis an unweeded garden That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature Possess it merely. This constant analysis of moral values clearly limits his effectiveness as a conventional revenger. As a revenger he must be able to put morals to one side as he completes his task. Laertes apparently does this with ease, as is shown by his determination to have revenge, To cut his throat i the church. Nearing the end of the play, Hamlet is fatalistic. This lack of fear of his own death causes him to shed the constant suspicion that burdened him earlier in the play. If it be now, tis not to come; if it be not to come; it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come He suspects no foul play, when previously it would have been uppermost in his thoughts. It is here then, at the end of the play, that he finally accepts his role as a revenger. I believe that Hamlet is a far more realistic portrayal of a revenger than typical revenge heroes. The confusion and distrust he feels towards the ghost is a rational reaction. It is much more easy to sympathise with the obviously fallible Hamlet than the self-righteous heroes of old revenge tragedies. As a modern reader, I feel that I can identify with his individualist stance. Hamlet cannot be shaped by conventional form and expectations.