According to the Literary Theory of New Criticism, a body “of literary art should be regarded as autonomous and should not be judged by references to considerations beyond itself”. So, when considering the works of Shakespeare, any information regarding the author or any related historical information should be disregarded. Instead, the only focus should be placed upon the words scripted in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It is through this focus that the character of Hamlet can be understood through Shakespeare’s supernatural references seen in the soliloquy found in Act I, scene v of Hamlet.
First, William Shakespeare depicts Hamlet as a character who questions the force of the heavens. Hamlet, who recently bore the tremendous death of his father and the marriage of his mother and uncle, faces anguish when he speaks with the ghost of his father. He exclaims: “"O all you host of heaven! O earth! What else?” (I.v.92). In this use of a supernatural reference, Shakespeare depicts Hamlet as a character who questions what else “the multitude of angels that attend upon God” (Oxford English Dictionary) will throw at him.
Second, Hamlet can be seen as a character who struggles through a great deal of inner battles. After encountering the ghost of his father, Hamlet becomes very disturbed. He questions whether or not should seek revenge for the death of his father. Hamlet is then quoted saying “And shall I couple hell?” (I.v.93). According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word couple means “to join in wedlock”. So, Hamlet questions whether he must commit some sort of sin to avenge his father’s death. It is clear however, that the role of hell, which is a supernatural force, has a strong influence upon Hamlet. It is clear that the character recognizes the negative connotations associated with the word hell. Therefore, it is fair to assume that in joining hell in wedlock, Hamlet seeks to commit a horrid crime in order to avenge his father’s death.
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