The Character of Shakespeares Hamlet Essay -- GCSE English Literature

Hamlet is arguably the greatest dramatic character ever created. From the moment we meet the crestfallen Prince we be enraptured by his elegant intensity. Shrouded in his inky cloak, Hamlet is a man of radical contradictions -- he is reckless yet cautious, courteous yet uncivil, social yet ferocious. He meets his fathers death with consuming outrage and righteous indignation, yet shows no compunction when he himself is responsible for the deaths of the meddling Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and the pontificating lord chamberlain, Polonius. He uses the flimsy and innocent Ophelia as an outlet for his disgust towards the Queen, and cannot comprehend that his own vicious words have caused her insanity. Hamlet is full of faults. But un analogous Macbeth, who has committed wrap up and, as a direct consequence, has been relegated to the heap of weak-willed villains, Hamlet has remained a demigod of sorts -- his faults having been quashed under his good qualities. What are Hamlets good qualities? How is it that even seemingly negative qualities like indecisiveness, hastiness, hate, brutality, and obsession can enhance Hamlets position as a tragic hero -- a prince among men? To answer these questions we must journey with Hamlet from beginning to end, and view the many facets of his character. Our first impression of Hamlet sets the tone for the whole play. Even without Shakespeare providing an elaborate description of Hamlets features, we can envision his pale face, tousled hair, and intense, brooding eyes. habilimented totally in black, Hamlet displays all the forms, moods and shapes of grief. His mother cannot help but notice Hamlets outward appearance of mourning, but Hamlet makes it clear that the overt signs o... ...ally die, it is his luxurious qualities that make the lasting imprint in our minds. Hamlet remains The courtiers, soldiers, scholars, eye, tongue, sword, The expectancy and rose of the fair state, The glass of fashion, and the mould of form The observd of all observers (III.i.153-56) Bibliography Bradley, A.C. Shakespearean Tragedy. ( cutting York St. Martins Press, 1966). Burnett, Mark, ed. New Essays on Hamlet. (New York AMS Press, 1994). Evans Lloyd Gareth. Shakespeare IV. (London Oxford university Press, 1967). Granville-Barker, Henry. Prefaces to Shakespeare.3 (New York, Hill and Wang, 1970). Loske, Olaf. Outrageous Fortune. (Oslo Oslo University Press, 1960). Muir, Kenneth. Shakespeare and the Tragic Pattern, Proceedings of the British Academy, Vol.XLIV (London Oxford University Press, 1958).