Shakespeare’s Hamlet, one of the most famous plays in history, has been read by millions of people throughout time. It seems to be forever relevant to our lives and understanding of human feelings. Some have speculated that this is partially an effect of the texts use of the concept of “weltschmerz” a feeling of melancholy that lends itself to a degree of human proportions. It is the notion that a particular feeling is a hurt that allows for relation and empathy with humanity. Through the pain expressed in content and technique in Hamlet, it can be seen that Hamlet, the main character, reflects the concept of weltschmerz to a great degree because of the relevancy of his internal and external conflict and its allowance for empathy.
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One of the saddest parts about Hamlet’s character is that he recognizes his major flaw, he knows that it is what is keeping him from avenging his father and he hates himself for it. He gives a soliloquy in Act II scene ii in which he discusses himself in relation to an actor. The actor is the embodiment of a potent individual, one who is in full command of himself and his surroundings. Hamlet, however, outlines himself as the antithesis to that character. Hamlet is an impotent coward who cannot express himself and wastes time analyzing instead of doing. Hamlet commences the soliloquy by saying: “O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!” (II.ii.554). Shakespeare’s use of the word “O” as a sound device emphasizes Hamlet’s pain. It is an appropriate usage because the word “O” sounds like a groan that one would emit when experiencing pain and suffering. After this he says: “What would he do had he the motive and cue for passion that I have? He [the player] would drown the stage with tears….make the mad guilty, and appall the free, confound the ignorant and amaze …show more content…
Self-doubt and self-hatred are very relatable things experienced by most people at some point in their lives, they evoke feelings of pain and fear. This is a reflection of Weltschmerz to a great degree in that seeing this in Hamlet’s character provides an empathetic link that allows relation on a broad spectrum. People all have their own struggles and doubts about their lives and themselves. Because of this common connection, the stakes of the relationship between audience and Hamlet are raised from sympathy to empathy, and therefore a deeper connection. The audience may recognize and empathize with some of what Hamlet is experiencing because it is so common in our lives, this makes Hamlet a more realistic character and allows people to further align themselves with
One of the saddest parts about Hamlet’s character is that he recognizes his major flaw, he knows that it is what is keeping him from avenging his father and he hates himself for it. He gives a soliloquy in Act II scene ii in which he discusses himself in relation to an actor. The actor is the embodiment of a potent individual, one who is in full command of himself and his surroundings. Hamlet, however, outlines himself as the antithesis to that character. Hamlet is an impotent coward who cannot express himself and wastes time analyzing instead of doing. Hamlet commences the soliloquy by saying: “O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!” (II.ii.554). Shakespeare’s use of the word “O” as a sound device emphasizes Hamlet’s pain. It is an appropriate usage because the word “O” sounds like a groan that one would emit when experiencing pain and suffering. After this he says: “What would he do had he the motive and cue for passion that I have? He [the player] would drown the stage with tears….make the mad guilty, and appall the free, confound the ignorant and amaze …show more content…
Self-doubt and self-hatred are very relatable things experienced by most people at some point in their lives, they evoke feelings of pain and fear. This is a reflection of Weltschmerz to a great degree in that seeing this in Hamlet’s character provides an empathetic link that allows relation on a broad spectrum. People all have their own struggles and doubts about their lives and themselves. Because of this common connection, the stakes of the relationship between audience and Hamlet are raised from sympathy to empathy, and therefore a deeper connection. The audience may recognize and empathize with some of what Hamlet is experiencing because it is so common in our lives, this makes Hamlet a more realistic character and allows people to further align themselves with