If Hamlet’s hypothesis proves to be true, then King Claudius should exhibit some sort of reaction. Inevitably, Claudius acquits himself poorly as he departs from the performances in a fit of rage. In his later soliloquy, Claudius admits himself to being the cause of King Hamlet’s death: “O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven; / It hath the primal eldest curse upon ‘t, / A brother’s murder” (III.iii.40-41). Witnessing the play sparks the latent animosity King Claudius has against Hamlet. With such bitterness towards the prince, King Claudius sets forth his own plan to kill Hamlet.
Hamlet’s first interaction with his father’s ghost reveals this fundamental association between love and revenge. When the ghost describes his murder as “most foul, strange, and unnatural” Hamlet conflates his feelings for his father with plans for vengeance. “Haste me to know't, that I, with wings as swift As meditation or the thoughts of love, May sweep to my revenge”(1.5.29-31). Hamlet compares the speed of his revenge to that in which someone falls in love, while expressing his belief that he can exhibit love for his father by retaliation on his behalf. Significantly, Hamlet’s revenge is to take from Claudius that which he loves, including the crown and Hamlet’s mother.
Hamlet pursues his failures by holding off his intentions to kill Claudius, unsuccessfully claiming his love for Ophelia, and the accidental murder of Polonius. All the aforementioned events ultimately lead to the tragic events in the play. King Hamlet’s questionable death results in Claudius’s reign over the Kingdom. Through the appearances of the former ruler's Ghost, the accountability of King Hamlet’s death, Claudius becomes the main suspect of the King’s death. Hamlet decides to kill Claudius to seek revenge over his father’s death.
Hamlet's incapability to commit revenge for the duration of the play indicates that he is sexually arrosed by the idea of being with his mother and rid himself of his father. Many critics argue this correlation parallels a much earlier tragedy in which a man named Oedipus accidentally slaughters his father and marries his mother. This sexual fantasy Hamlet manifests hinders him from committing revenge upon King Claudius because Claudius himself is a living corporeal representation of the man he hungers to become. "Hamlets problem" throughout the tragedy is articulated by Shakespeare through motif, tragic flaw, and allusion and further fortifies his use of the Oedipus complex. Oedipus, as many say, is rooted in the tale of "Hamlet" This particular work of Shakespeare's is subject to a vast array of interpretations, perhaps the most controversial and significant is the relationship between Hamlet and his mother Gertrude and how it parallels the greek tragedy "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles.
Who do you consider is most responsible for the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet? Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet all ends in a terrible tragedy, however there has to be someone to blame for this, but who? I strongly believe that Friar Lawrence is responsible for the tragedy. The main reasons why I think he is to blame is because he married Romeo and Juliet without anyone’s permission; he also helped them to have a secret night together; gave Juliet a dangerous potion; faked her funeral breaking the hearts of her family and he continued abusing the use of confession throughout the play. The most disgraceful thing is that he is a man of god and he committed all of these horrendous sins!
The death of one’s father and a ghostly visitation thereafter are events that would challenge the sanity of anyone. The circumstances of King Hamlet’s death render it especially traumatic. The late King seemed to be an idol to his son; Hamlet looked up to him and aspired to have the same qualities. Hamlet doesn't like King Claudius and sees him as a swindling usurper who has stolen not only the dead King’s throne, but Hamlet’s as well(2.4). Hamlet shows Gertrude that she has lowered her standards by marrying Claudius, When he refers to old Hamlet as, “A combination and a form indeed / Where every god did seem to set his seal” (3.4.55-61).
In the events leading up to his demise, Laertes is corrupted by Claudius and his evil motives. He is seduced by Claudius, and since Laertes is a man of action, he is manipulated into seeking revenge against Hamlet. Claudius convinces him that Hamlet is behind the death of both his father and sister and his rage gets the best of him. “He is justly served./It is a poison tempered by himself./ Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet./ Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee,/ Nor thine on me.”
What is the difference between Hamlet’s madness and Ophelia’s? Is there a marked difference in their behavior and speech? The theme of madness is one of the main themes in the tragedy Hamlet. Hamlet pretends to be mad and Ophelia is driven to actual madness and even suicide. Hamlet starts to act as a madman to avenge the death of his father by his uncle.
“The spirit I have seen may be a devil, and the devil hath power T’ assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps… abuses me to damn me.” (2.2.627-632) Is the ghost trying to trick him into an encounter that he will later regret? Is it truly his father, seeking revenge for his unjust murder? These thoughts just make Hamlet delay reacting until he finds some concrete evidence against Claudius. Thus where Hamlet brings forth the “Moustetrap” scheme, in which to ensnare Claudius’ reaction of guilt to a play similar to his father’s murder. After the play, The Mousetrap, Hamlet is positive that Claudius has killed his father and in turn he is now set to kill the King.
Hamlet stabs the king and Laertes remarks, “He is justly serv’d” (5.2.294). Accordingly, Hamlet must also receive justice as well for he unwittingly murdered Polonius. Laertes achieves this retribution for both Polonius and Ophelia, whose death was spurred by Polonius’. Nearing the end of their lives, Laertes beseeches Hamlet, “Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet: Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee, nor thine on me!” to ensure that the two may pass peacefully without lingering dissention. (5.2.295-297) Gertrude’s lustful pitfall is also resolved when she sacrifices herself for her son by taking the poisoned drink.