“Hamlet” a play written by William Shakespeare approximately 400 years back, remains inveterate to the contemporary society due to the manner in which it handles the ramifications of human nature with an idiosyncratic approach. As “Hamlet” isn’t constrained by contextual impediments, various different interpretations are allowed to be made through the passage of time, without losing its textual integrity. The thematic representations of internal conflict through the character of Hamlet, revenge, and death hold a metaphorical mirror on today’s society and culture, making it relevant and relatable.
Hamlet’s internal speculation and sensitivities fuel the modes of conflict, and are hence fundamental in the build-up of the story and in turn …show more content…
In the modern world, it is not uncommon to discover acts of violence out of revenge, deception or other factors. “Hamlet” explores revenge as a result of human motivations, which make the context regardless and hence timeless. Hamlet’s desperate need to avenge his father is the key motivator of this play, despite Hamlet’s time spent repose. This is representative of our society as we are also obsessed with idea that ‘revenge is sweet’ due to our exposure to the media outlets. However, Shakespeare has the modern audience question whether revenge is always sweet, or is it, in Hamlet’s case; a bittersweet affair obtained at a high price such as the death of his mother, Claudius, himself, and close associates such as Laertes and Ophelia. Revenge is seen as a cumulative effect to several different characters, all who seek revenge to avenge the death of their loved ones or to eradicate a possible threat such as Claudius. However the depth of Hamlet’s hate for Claudius is seen through the scene in which he contemplates murdering him while Claudius prays. “… now he is praying; And now I'll do't. And so he goes to heaven, And so am I revenged. That would be scann'd...” This is exemplary of Hamlet’s inaction, but also how severely he wants revenge and make Claudius repent. The theme of revenge is befitting to our society as revenge is a recipe for self-destruction, as seen in “Hamlet”, where Hamlet’s desperation for revenge leads to the death of not only Claudius, but also those associated with him. The play itself befits the famous quote “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind”, and therefore linking back to the modern world. Thereby we see that “Hamlet” is ever lasting and is decontextualized into a different era through the theme of revenge, applicable to today’s modern
Hamlet’s internal speculation and sensitivities fuel the modes of conflict, and are hence fundamental in the build-up of the story and in turn …show more content…
In the modern world, it is not uncommon to discover acts of violence out of revenge, deception or other factors. “Hamlet” explores revenge as a result of human motivations, which make the context regardless and hence timeless. Hamlet’s desperate need to avenge his father is the key motivator of this play, despite Hamlet’s time spent repose. This is representative of our society as we are also obsessed with idea that ‘revenge is sweet’ due to our exposure to the media outlets. However, Shakespeare has the modern audience question whether revenge is always sweet, or is it, in Hamlet’s case; a bittersweet affair obtained at a high price such as the death of his mother, Claudius, himself, and close associates such as Laertes and Ophelia. Revenge is seen as a cumulative effect to several different characters, all who seek revenge to avenge the death of their loved ones or to eradicate a possible threat such as Claudius. However the depth of Hamlet’s hate for Claudius is seen through the scene in which he contemplates murdering him while Claudius prays. “… now he is praying; And now I'll do't. And so he goes to heaven, And so am I revenged. That would be scann'd...” This is exemplary of Hamlet’s inaction, but also how severely he wants revenge and make Claudius repent. The theme of revenge is befitting to our society as revenge is a recipe for self-destruction, as seen in “Hamlet”, where Hamlet’s desperation for revenge leads to the death of not only Claudius, but also those associated with him. The play itself befits the famous quote “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind”, and therefore linking back to the modern world. Thereby we see that “Hamlet” is ever lasting and is decontextualized into a different era through the theme of revenge, applicable to today’s modern