Hamlet - Critial Analysis
Hamlet - Critial Analysis
The play revolves around the character of Prince Hamlet, the son of the recently
deceased King of Denmark. Hamlet is devastated by the loss of his father, and his
grief is compounded by the hasty marriage of his mother, Queen Gertrude, to his
uncle, Claudius, who has now become king. Hamlet's grief and anger soon turn into a
desire for revenge when he learns from the ghost of his father that Claudius was
responsible for his death.
Hamlet's journey towards revenge is a long and tortuous one, and the play explores
the psychological complexities of his character as he grapples with his own doubts
and uncertainties. He is torn between his desire for revenge and his doubts about
the validity of the ghost's message. He becomes increasingly isolated as the play
progresses, and his mental state deteriorates as he tries to come to terms with his
father's death, his mother's marriage to his uncle, and his own sense of betrayal.
The play's other characters are also complex and multi-dimensional. Ophelia,
Hamlet's love interest, is driven to madness and suicide as a result of her
father's death and Hamlet's erratic behavior. Polonius, Ophelia's father, is a
scheming and manipulative character who is ultimately killed by Hamlet. The play
also features the treacherous Claudius, the loyal and valiant Horatio, and the
bumbling and foolish Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Hamlet's themes of revenge, betrayal, and madness have made it a timeless work of
literature, and it continues to be studied and performed today. One of the play's
most significant contributions to literature is its exploration of the human psyche
and the complex interplay between thought and action. Hamlet's internal conflict
and his struggle to find meaning in a world that seems devoid of it continue to
resonate with audiences today.
In terms of literary technique, Hamlet is notable for its use of soliloquies, which
give the audience a glimpse into the character's inner thoughts and emotions. The
play also makes use of dramatic irony, in which the audience knows more than the
characters on stage, and the use of symbolism and metaphor to convey complex themes
and ideas.