THE MODERN HAMLET
Breaking Bad is widely considered one of the best TV shows of all time and for a good reason. It has one particular plot that resonates with Hamlet - tragedy. The hook of this TV show is it’s brilliant deviation from a basic storyline and hero to one where it makes the viewer question their own values and make judgement calls. Walter White is debated heavily as being either a hero, an anti-hero, or just a faulty hero. To set the scene, he is a high school chemistry teacher who just found out he has terminal cancer. Pretty heavy. And like most people, he cares the most for his family and their financial security after his inevitable and fast-moving death. Having said that, his choice to involve himself into the game of drug …show more content…
When he used to work at Gray Matter, he was always seeking that ambition to be at the top. He only sold his shares for $5000 while the company went on to become worth over 2 billion dollars. He went from a scientist on the brink of discovery to an overqualified science teacher. And as it turns out, being a drug kingpin filled that hunger for power. This particular scene contains so much symbolism and small details that brilliantly reveal Walt’s descent into complete madness. For example, the color of Walt’s shirt changes from red to an even darker shade of red as he takes it off right before telling Skyler is true feelings. Coincidence? Another point is the social commentary that is subtly being played to point out how selfishness is basic human nature. Walt’s two-faced persona could be an argument that he has completely changed because of the situation he was put into. In other words, no matter how nice and sweet a person is, in dangerous scenarios, we tend to be more selfish and do what’s best for survival. As a result, his selfishness is masked for pity. This follows the tragic hero storyline because his character arc is a result of his overwhelming pride of making the purest form of meth which resulted in working with killers and drug dealers. As Walt described, the businesses was as big as NASDAQ and it could fall if he just simply left. This scene caused some debate on whether Walt actually continued making drugs for the support of his family or to fulfill his quest for power. The careful wording in this scene leads us to believe the latter because of the narcissistic behavior that Walt displayed. The tone of his voice as the scene progresses also grows angrier and more frightening as Skyler witnesses him become less and less the husband she loved and
Breaking Bad is widely considered one of the best TV shows of all time and for a good reason. It has one particular plot that resonates with Hamlet - tragedy. The hook of this TV show is it’s brilliant deviation from a basic storyline and hero to one where it makes the viewer question their own values and make judgement calls. Walter White is debated heavily as being either a hero, an anti-hero, or just a faulty hero. To set the scene, he is a high school chemistry teacher who just found out he has terminal cancer. Pretty heavy. And like most people, he cares the most for his family and their financial security after his inevitable and fast-moving death. Having said that, his choice to involve himself into the game of drug …show more content…
When he used to work at Gray Matter, he was always seeking that ambition to be at the top. He only sold his shares for $5000 while the company went on to become worth over 2 billion dollars. He went from a scientist on the brink of discovery to an overqualified science teacher. And as it turns out, being a drug kingpin filled that hunger for power. This particular scene contains so much symbolism and small details that brilliantly reveal Walt’s descent into complete madness. For example, the color of Walt’s shirt changes from red to an even darker shade of red as he takes it off right before telling Skyler is true feelings. Coincidence? Another point is the social commentary that is subtly being played to point out how selfishness is basic human nature. Walt’s two-faced persona could be an argument that he has completely changed because of the situation he was put into. In other words, no matter how nice and sweet a person is, in dangerous scenarios, we tend to be more selfish and do what’s best for survival. As a result, his selfishness is masked for pity. This follows the tragic hero storyline because his character arc is a result of his overwhelming pride of making the purest form of meth which resulted in working with killers and drug dealers. As Walt described, the businesses was as big as NASDAQ and it could fall if he just simply left. This scene caused some debate on whether Walt actually continued making drugs for the support of his family or to fulfill his quest for power. The careful wording in this scene leads us to believe the latter because of the narcissistic behavior that Walt displayed. The tone of his voice as the scene progresses also grows angrier and more frightening as Skyler witnesses him become less and less the husband she loved and