Actions Speak Louder than Soliloquies: Existentialism in Hamlet
In the 1600s, existentialism did not yet exist in name, but the ideas behind the movement were circulating during William Shakespeare’s time. Existentialism as we define it now focuses on “existence before essence,” the idea that humans exist and then write their own narratives, not the other way around (Crowell). One of the most influential leaders of the existentialist movement was Jean-Paul Sartre; his lecture “Existentialism is a Humanism” explains many of the principal concepts of the movement and defends his theory against its critics (Sartre). Many of the conflicts that Sartre and other existentialist philosophers discuss manifest themselves in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. By subtly …show more content…
Existentialists believe that people must act as if everyone is watching them. In Hamlet, Shakespeare presents this responsibility as the idea of nobility. In one of his most famous soliloquies, Hamlet praises man for the “noble” creature he is, for the “infinite” and godlike abilities he has (2.2.285–88). Similarly, Sartre shares this optimistic attitude towards mankind because it has the potential to change and do good at any time, as previously discussed. Hamlet embodies this existentialist principle when he refrains from killing a praying Claudius because he wants to be remembered as a noble hero, not a murderer who preys on the defenseless. Shakespeare highlights Hamlet’s decision by bringing to mind the story of Pyrrhus, the valiant but cruel hero of the Trojan horse story. In the player’s recitation of the legend, Pyrrhus hesitates to murder his unarmed enemy Priam, but remembers the horrible deeds Priam did and decides to kill him anyway (2.2.431–60). Shakespeare contrasts Hamlet with Pyrrhus because while both men have the opportunity to accomplish their goals by killing villainous but defenseless men, only Pyrrhus executes. Hamlet instead waits in an attempt to do his bloody duty in a noble …show more content…
Hesitation and quietism do not accomplish anything, as one can see in Hamlet’s tragic example. According to Sartre, “there is no reality except in action”: humans impact themselves and the world with their actions, not their abstract thoughts or their plans for action (Sartre). Hamlet faces a “damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t” situation: he must either murder Claudius against his morals or painfully endure Claudius’ illegitimate reign and marriage to Gertrude. In arguably the most well-known quote in all of literature, Hamlet asks, “To be, or not to be? That is the question” (3.3.57). This entire soliloquy displays Hamlet’s inner conflict: he wonders if it is nobler to endure troubles or better to take action to end them. He knows killing Claudius would solve his problems, but he would rather bear his burdens than act. Neither option is acceptable to Hamlet’s conscience, and either way, Hamlet knows he will be responsible for his choice, so he prolongs making a decision at all. Sartre, however, argues, “I can always choose, but I must know that if I do not choose, that is still a choice” (Sartre). Another example of this concept in existentialist literature is Daru’s hesitation in Albert Camus’ short story “The Guest.” Daru, an Algerian schoolteacher, refuses to take a side in a military conflict between his
In the 1600s, existentialism did not yet exist in name, but the ideas behind the movement were circulating during William Shakespeare’s time. Existentialism as we define it now focuses on “existence before essence,” the idea that humans exist and then write their own narratives, not the other way around (Crowell). One of the most influential leaders of the existentialist movement was Jean-Paul Sartre; his lecture “Existentialism is a Humanism” explains many of the principal concepts of the movement and defends his theory against its critics (Sartre). Many of the conflicts that Sartre and other existentialist philosophers discuss manifest themselves in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. By subtly …show more content…
Existentialists believe that people must act as if everyone is watching them. In Hamlet, Shakespeare presents this responsibility as the idea of nobility. In one of his most famous soliloquies, Hamlet praises man for the “noble” creature he is, for the “infinite” and godlike abilities he has (2.2.285–88). Similarly, Sartre shares this optimistic attitude towards mankind because it has the potential to change and do good at any time, as previously discussed. Hamlet embodies this existentialist principle when he refrains from killing a praying Claudius because he wants to be remembered as a noble hero, not a murderer who preys on the defenseless. Shakespeare highlights Hamlet’s decision by bringing to mind the story of Pyrrhus, the valiant but cruel hero of the Trojan horse story. In the player’s recitation of the legend, Pyrrhus hesitates to murder his unarmed enemy Priam, but remembers the horrible deeds Priam did and decides to kill him anyway (2.2.431–60). Shakespeare contrasts Hamlet with Pyrrhus because while both men have the opportunity to accomplish their goals by killing villainous but defenseless men, only Pyrrhus executes. Hamlet instead waits in an attempt to do his bloody duty in a noble …show more content…
Hesitation and quietism do not accomplish anything, as one can see in Hamlet’s tragic example. According to Sartre, “there is no reality except in action”: humans impact themselves and the world with their actions, not their abstract thoughts or their plans for action (Sartre). Hamlet faces a “damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t” situation: he must either murder Claudius against his morals or painfully endure Claudius’ illegitimate reign and marriage to Gertrude. In arguably the most well-known quote in all of literature, Hamlet asks, “To be, or not to be? That is the question” (3.3.57). This entire soliloquy displays Hamlet’s inner conflict: he wonders if it is nobler to endure troubles or better to take action to end them. He knows killing Claudius would solve his problems, but he would rather bear his burdens than act. Neither option is acceptable to Hamlet’s conscience, and either way, Hamlet knows he will be responsible for his choice, so he prolongs making a decision at all. Sartre, however, argues, “I can always choose, but I must know that if I do not choose, that is still a choice” (Sartre). Another example of this concept in existentialist literature is Daru’s hesitation in Albert Camus’ short story “The Guest.” Daru, an Algerian schoolteacher, refuses to take a side in a military conflict between his