Themes
Madness: Upon Hamlet’s discovery of his father's murder by Claudius, Hamlet vows to feign madness, in order to avoid suspicion as he plots to take his revenge upon Claudius. A major question of Hamlet that is still debated to this day, is at what point, if at all, does Hamlet cross the line from faking madness, to actually becoming mad. Near the beginning of the text, Hamlet appears to be thinking logically while feigning madness, as Polonius comments in an aside: “though this be madness, there is method in it.” Hamlet later appears to be acting quite illogically, becoming extremely frustrated and incomprehensible when engaging in an argument with his mother Gertrude, and later jumping into the grave of the dead Ophelia to argue with Laertes. This act of pretending to be mad seems to destroy Hamlet’s mind, as he becomes increasingly strange, obsessive, and angry by the end of the play.
The character of Ophelia also battles madness and insanity, after her father dies, and Hamlet rejects her. Ophelia however, is truly insane, and drowns herself. As Ophelia, and Hamlet face the negative consequences that come with madness and insanity, Hamlet explores the dangers of madness, the effect it has on those around them, and the way it can destroy a person’s soul.
The character of Ophelia also battles madness and insanity, after her father dies, and Hamlet rejects her. Ophelia however, is truly insane, and drowns herself. As Ophelia, and Hamlet face the negative consequences that come with madness and insanity, Hamlet explores the dangers of madness, the effect it has on those around them, and the way it can destroy a person’s soul.
Power: Power is an immensely important theme in Hamlet, shown mainly through the character of King Claudius. Claudius’s desire for power drives much of the plot of Hamlet, and sets the entire conflict of the story in motion. Because of Claudius’s willingness to kill Hamlet’s father to gain power through the throne, Hamlet’s character arc of avenging his father begins. Throughout the story, the readers see Claudius’s frequent attempts to keep power, through Claudius’s actions of killing Hamlet’s father, marrying Hamlet’s mother, spying on Hamlet, and putting plans in motion to kill Hamlet himself. However, these actions result in incredibly destructive events in Claudius’s life. Claudius becomes racked with guilt, declaring his murder of Hamlet’s father “rank… it smells to heaven”. Claudius finds himself even unable to pray because of his sins resulting from his obsession with power. Finally, Claudius pays the ultimate price for his treachery, being killed by Hamlet, through poison and stabbing. Through Claudius’s pursuit of power, and the effect this has on his life, Shakespeare comments on the dangers of an obsession for power, and the ruin this has on human lives. Claudius consistently shows his willingness to lie, deceive, and destroy others for power, and in the end, he pays the price for it.
Family Drama: Family Drama plays a pivotal role in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The entire conflict the titular character Hamlet faces in Hamlet stems from the drama of his family. Because Claudius killed Hamlet’s father, and married Hamlet’s mother Gertrude, Hamlet has conflict with both Gertrude and Claudius in the story, attempting to avenge his late father, and right the wrong that has been done to his family.
Similarly, the character Polonius’s family is full of drama in Hamlet as well. After Polonius’s daughter Ophelia gets caught in-between the actions of Hamlet and Claudius to kill each other. Polonius is murdered by Hamlet; Ophelia becomes insane, and drowns herself, to the dismay of her brother Laertes. The loss of this family plays an important dramatic role in the arc of Laertes.
Through these events, Hamlet displays the impact family has on an individual, whether it is positive or negative, and where family exists, drama abounds as well.
Similarly, the character Polonius’s family is full of drama in Hamlet as well. After Polonius’s daughter Ophelia gets caught in-between the actions of Hamlet and Claudius to kill each other. Polonius is murdered by Hamlet; Ophelia becomes insane, and drowns herself, to the dismay of her brother Laertes. The loss of this family plays an important dramatic role in the arc of Laertes.
Through these events, Hamlet displays the impact family has on an individual, whether it is positive or negative, and where family exists, drama abounds as well.
Fathers and Sons (inherited responsibilities): The theme of fathers and sons is important in Hamlet because it is shown twice, in a foil. Hamlet is told to avenge his father’s death, but fails to do so. Laertes chooses to avenge his father’s death, and succeeds, but he also kills himself in the process. Hamlet’s inherited responsibility is to kill his new father also showcases the theme of fathers and sons. Hamlet is only loyal to his old father, not uncle-daddy. He means to avenge his father, but he never ends up succeeding. This is juxtaposed with Laertes, who chooses to avenge his father. He does not suffer from inaction as Hamlet does, even though he had Claudius’s help. He is justly angry and avenges his father, though not in the best way since he dies in the process. The use of this theme showcases the difference between Hamlet and Laertes, bringing more meaning to Shakespeare’s play.
Revenge: Hamlet is also a good example of the theme of revenge, and how it corrupts the human mind. Hamlet’s whole mission is to get revenge for the murder of his father, and it is this mission that eventually drives him over the edge. Since his fatal flaw is inaction when he needs to be acting, Hamlet beats himself up about it, giving way to a lot of self-doubt and hatred. This messes with his mind, and if he was only acting crazy at the beginning, by the end he is actually crazy.
Revenge also affects Laertes. He wants to get revenge for Hamlet killing Polonius, and this drives him to commit more evil acts with the king, and leads to many more deaths than he wants it to. Right before he dies he exclaims, “I am slain by my own treachery”. His need for revenge has come back to kill him, and this displays just how much revenge can corrupt a person.
Revenge also affects Laertes. He wants to get revenge for Hamlet killing Polonius, and this drives him to commit more evil acts with the king, and leads to many more deaths than he wants it to. Right before he dies he exclaims, “I am slain by my own treachery”. His need for revenge has come back to kill him, and this displays just how much revenge can corrupt a person.
Meaning of Existence: Hamlet showcases the theme of “the meaning of existence” nicely, because of the many rhetorical questions asked within the play. Especially in the “Yorick” scene, Hamlet and Horatio ask about the meaning of life, and what man becomes once he dies. They discuss why anyone would accomplish anything in life, when death will just take it away. Another major scene that explores the meaning of existence is Hamlet’s famous “to be or not to be” speech. This is important to the theme because it discusses not only the meaning of existence but why existing is important to people. It explores the reasons for wanting death and why anyone would choose suicide over living.
All of these rhetorical questions asked within the play lead to Hamlet’s final words- “the rest is silence”. He is not getting an answer for these questions he is asking about the meaning of existence. This shows an important part of existing as a human. We may ask all the questions we want, and pray for answers, but in the end we will never get any answers, and all we are left with is silence.
All of these rhetorical questions asked within the play lead to Hamlet’s final words- “the rest is silence”. He is not getting an answer for these questions he is asking about the meaning of existence. This shows an important part of existing as a human. We may ask all the questions we want, and pray for answers, but in the end we will never get any answers, and all we are left with is silence.
Playing/pretending/deceiving: The amount of characters that play pretend, and deceive in Hamlet is vast, and plays a large part in the tragic catastrophe in the final act. Hamlet, Claudius, Polonius, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Laertes all hide the intentions of their true hearts. Because of the deception each character takes part in, they pay a sad and bitter price. The most obvious and important character that is deceptive is Hamlet himself. From Act II on, Hamlet puts on a façade of insanity, in an attempt to avenge his father’s death. Hamlet deceives others throughout the play, telling Laertes in the final scene: “thou wouldst not think how ill all’s here about my heart”. Hamlet’s own heart is hidden from others, and he deceives almost every character in the story, even the ones he loves. The sad result of this deception is that as Hamlet deceives others, he begins to lose grip on reality himself, arguably becoming truly insane. Another important character that partakes in deception in Hamlet is the king Claudius. Claudius deceives the entire kingdom, killing his brother to take the throne, and spends the entirety of the play continuing to deceive others in order to keep his power. And plays a part in their deaths because of his deception. Claudius’ deception ends up killing himself too, as Hamlet forces Claudius to drink the poisoned cup Claudius intended for Hamlet. Through these characters, Hamlet displays the danger and inevitable end of those willing to deceive others to achieve what they desire.
How to live in an evil and fallen world, and act honorably: An important questions the play Hamlet asks is this: How do you live in an evil, fallen world, and still act honorably? The best example of this question, and the answer to it, is found in the character of Laertes. Laertes is once an honorable man, caring for his sister, telling her not to marry Hamlet, not because of spite, but because of the issue of his royal lineage. Laertes does not needlessly quarrel with others, and listens to the advice of his father Polonius. However after the death of Polonius and Ophelia, Laertes agrees to take part in a plot to kill Hamlet. When the poison blade stabs Laertes that was meant for Hamlet, he exclaims: “I am justly killed by my own treachery” and later asks for Hamlet’s forgiveness. The corruption of Laertes teaches an important lesson on the corruption of honor in a fallen world. Laertes let bitterness, grief, and revenge lead him to take part in a wicked plot with the wicked king. To live honorably in a fallen world, you must not let circumstances change your heart. While Polonius is often a fool, he has one piece of advice that I believe Laertes, and anyone else wishing to live honorably in a fallen world could take benefit from: “To thine own self be true”.
Love: Hamlet explores the theme of love through Claudius’s relationship to Gertrude, and Hamlet’s relationship to Ophelia. While it can be easily argued that Hamlet has romantic feelings for Ophelia, Hamlet merely uses Ophelia to achieve the justice he searches for, pretending to be insane around her, to alert Polonius and Claudius, and refusing to tell her the truth. Similarly, Claudius uses his marriage to Queen Gertrude to claim the throne of Denmark, and it is doubtful that Claudius truly loves Gertrude.
These two relationships are in obvious parallels, and both end in misery and tragedy because of the lack of love Hamlet and Claudius truly have for their romantic others. In fact, love is scarcely found in Hamlet at all, as the character of Polonius does not act like a loving father should, and no parents or children display a love to each other that overpowers their own selfish goals. True sacrificial love is only found in the characters of Horatio, and Laertes. Horatio truly loves Hamlet, is loyal to him throughout the entirety of the story, and does not fulfill his wanted act of suicide upon Hamlet’s death, per Hamlet’s instruction. Laertes shows intense feelings of care for his sister Ophelia, and is incredibly distraught at Ophelia’s fate. Those who truly love in this play do not have a happy ending, as the actions of the selfish in the play such as Claudius and Hamlet result in the death of an incredible amount of characters.
Through these characters, and their treatment of love, Hamlet displays the sad reality of what occurs when humans place their own selfish wants and needs over loving others, and do not act upon true love.
These two relationships are in obvious parallels, and both end in misery and tragedy because of the lack of love Hamlet and Claudius truly have for their romantic others. In fact, love is scarcely found in Hamlet at all, as the character of Polonius does not act like a loving father should, and no parents or children display a love to each other that overpowers their own selfish goals. True sacrificial love is only found in the characters of Horatio, and Laertes. Horatio truly loves Hamlet, is loyal to him throughout the entirety of the story, and does not fulfill his wanted act of suicide upon Hamlet’s death, per Hamlet’s instruction. Laertes shows intense feelings of care for his sister Ophelia, and is incredibly distraught at Ophelia’s fate. Those who truly love in this play do not have a happy ending, as the actions of the selfish in the play such as Claudius and Hamlet result in the death of an incredible amount of characters.
Through these characters, and their treatment of love, Hamlet displays the sad reality of what occurs when humans place their own selfish wants and needs over loving others, and do not act upon true love.
Morality: Hamlet is full of moral ambiguities, and questions regarding what is good and evil. Readers themselves are forced to question whether Hamlet’s actions in the play are just, right, and fair, or our almost as selfish, and evil as King Claudius. The character of Laertes appears to be good and honorable, but plots with Claudius to deceive, and kill Hamlet, upon his sister Ophelia’s death. Claudius himself displays guilt over killing Hamlet’s father, King Hamlet, but still carries on to deceive and attempt to kill Hamlet. Morality is displayed in shades of grey. There is no black and white, as each character is complex, with complicated desires, emotions, and feelings. In Hamlet, Shakespeare explores a world, in which morality is messy, confusing, and ambiguous, just like our own human souls.
Mortality: A major philosophical question that is frequently asked in Hamlet is what is the purpose of our human souls? This is found in Hamlet’s famous “to be or not to be speech” when he contemplates death and suicide, and asks if it is better to die, “Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and, by opposing, end them? To die, to sleep--
No more”… This hits on this major question. Why are we living, and is there a purpose, because of our human mortality? All die in the end, what does it matter if we oppose our troubles, if we too fall asleep?
The most pivotal scene in Hamlet exploring mortality is found in the first scene of Act V in which Hamlet finds the skull of his old jester Yorick, and asks: “To what base uses we may return, Horatio. Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander till he find it stopping a bunghole?” This again hits this question… To what will we return? Death makes every person equal; everybody dies, whether rich or poor, kind or bitter, wise or stupid. Hamlet questions what the meaning of life is, when we are all mortal, and will all end in death. There are no easy answers to this question, Hamlet merely explores the truth of what this reality is, and asks the readers to from their own conclusions.
No more”… This hits on this major question. Why are we living, and is there a purpose, because of our human mortality? All die in the end, what does it matter if we oppose our troubles, if we too fall asleep?
The most pivotal scene in Hamlet exploring mortality is found in the first scene of Act V in which Hamlet finds the skull of his old jester Yorick, and asks: “To what base uses we may return, Horatio. Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander till he find it stopping a bunghole?” This again hits this question… To what will we return? Death makes every person equal; everybody dies, whether rich or poor, kind or bitter, wise or stupid. Hamlet questions what the meaning of life is, when we are all mortal, and will all end in death. There are no easy answers to this question, Hamlet merely explores the truth of what this reality is, and asks the readers to from their own conclusions.
Evil Multiplying- The multiplication of evil is an important theme in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The whole plot of the play is set into motion because of one act of evil committed by the now King Claudius, and every act of evil is born from his act. Because Claudius poisoned Hamlet’s father, Hamlet is determined to get his revenge on Claudius, and Claudius is determined to keep power. Both go to extreme, and immoral lengths to achieve what they desire. Claudius sends Hamlet’s childhood friends, spy on Hamlet; he twists honorable men such as Laertes to kill Hamlet, and eventually tries to kill Hamlet himself with a poison cup. Hamlet kills Polonius thinking it is his father, pretends to be mad, hurting others such as Ophelia in the process, and tricks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern into delivering a letter of their own execution. All of these actions are birthed in revenge, greed, bitterness, and insanity, stemming from Claudius’s act of murder. These actions result in the death of not only the guilty men, but also the innocent Ophelia. Hamlet’s own words to Ophelia are this: “We are arrant knaves all, believe none of us”. Indeed, Ophelia is caught in a web of deception, greed, revenge, and evil. Ophelia is unable to hold the burden of her father’s death, and the apparent insanity of Hamlet, and goes insane and drowns herself. The multiplication of evil in the story results in almost every character having blood on their hands, and because of this, it ends tragically.
Overall Meaning: All together, these themes work to form an overall and cohesive meaning: the inevitable tragedy that results from selfishness, revenge, and evil. Every tragic incident that occurs in Hamlet is the result from a character’s negative action. Claudius’s evil murder of Hamlet’s father to become king sets in motion a plethora of tragic events in the story. However, it is not only Claudius’s actions that lead to tragedy. Polonius lies to his daughter Ophelia about Hamlet’s intentions, Hamlet becomes hell bent on revenge, hurting others to achieve justice, and Laertes conspires with Claudius to kill Hamlet upon his sister Ophelia’s death. Each major character gives in to the dark parts of their morality, and each character’s selfish actions lead to the inevitable tragedy of the climax, in which every major character faces their death. The tragedy of the story proclaims an important truth: only tragedy will come from selfish and evil actions, and the dark parts of human nature lead to pain and suffering.