hamlet tension

hamlet tension

“An inherent tension between confrontation and resolution is revealed through characterisation in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
To what extent does your interpretation of Hamlet align with this view?”

Shakespeare’s classical revenge tragedy Hamlet is everlastingly relevant despite the time period for its core humanist ideas and textual integrity, constructed through the deft use of literary and dramatic devices. The underlying tensions within of our society are expressly demonstrated within the characters developed through the control of content. Such tensions include existentialism, divine justice, religious morality and indecision. By demonstrating these tensions within the characters of Hamlet, Shakespeare has constructed a text which holds as a reflection of human ideals beyond time.
Hamlet’s internal conflict constitutes a significant portion of the events within the play. This conflict also demonstrates the innate ability of tension within oneself to prevent decisive action, and create meaningful resolutions, both internally and within his life. The first act sees Hamlet confronted by the murder of his father, the high jacking of his rightful throne, and a command from the ghost of his father that he kill the King of Denmark. Through his soliloquies, Hamlet demonstrates overwhelming internal anguish. In his “O that this too too solid flesh would melt” soliloquy, Shakespeare uses punctuation and staccato dialogue in lines to allude to an uncontrollable emotional outpour as a result of internal tension. A conflict arises here, where Hamlet considers the moral and political implications of killing Claudius, and fulfilling his father’s wish, such that he may leave purgatory. This direct conflict leads to indecision on Hamlet’s behalf, a self-acknowledged tension within Hamlet’s internal conflict, particularly evidenced in the “O what a rogue and peasant slave am I!” soliloquy, where Hamlet juxtaposes himself with the player’s ability to cry while acting. Further...

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