William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, a dramatic tragedy, follows the young Prince Hamlet in his search of vengeance for his father’s murder. The novel contains several unique plot twists and developments at the hands of overpowering emotion, blind judgements, and pure chance. Emotion, reason, and fate integrate to control the plot of the play. These three elements create tension at the center of all actions. The emotions of anger and hatred led Hamlet to seek retribution. Meanwhile, the ghost of Hamlet’s father guided Hamlet to view revenge as a rational and necessary step in his course of actions. Similarly, the concept that everything happens for a reason drives people into pivotal situations within the play. These three key aspects of emotion, reason, and fate work together to determine the storyline of Hamlet as a striking catastrophe.
Emotion fuels the fire of revenge within Hamlet and the basis for his actions. Emotion far overpowers his judgment and ability to realize when his actions appear irrational or unjustified. When Hamlet first encounters the …show more content…
Not only does the protagonist, Hamlet, suffer with this internal conflict, many of the supporting characters face the same difficulty. Although victim of it himself, Hamlet criticizes the Queen, his mother, when she allows emotion to overpower her. Hamlet reminds her “The hey-day in the blood is tame, it’s humble, And waits upon the judgement” (3.4.71-72). Shortly after, Hamlet changes his tone and scolds her, “Proclaim no shame When the compulsive ardour gives the charge,” (3.4.87-88). How can a character such as Hamlet deem himself reasonable when he speaks to a ghost nobody else can see (1.4.40)? How can a character find their actions reasonable when while digging graves while drunk and singing (5.1.66)? Reason and judgement are one in the same, however neither can exist when emotion blocks all sense of right and
Emotion fuels the fire of revenge within Hamlet and the basis for his actions. Emotion far overpowers his judgment and ability to realize when his actions appear irrational or unjustified. When Hamlet first encounters the …show more content…
Not only does the protagonist, Hamlet, suffer with this internal conflict, many of the supporting characters face the same difficulty. Although victim of it himself, Hamlet criticizes the Queen, his mother, when she allows emotion to overpower her. Hamlet reminds her “The hey-day in the blood is tame, it’s humble, And waits upon the judgement” (3.4.71-72). Shortly after, Hamlet changes his tone and scolds her, “Proclaim no shame When the compulsive ardour gives the charge,” (3.4.87-88). How can a character such as Hamlet deem himself reasonable when he speaks to a ghost nobody else can see (1.4.40)? How can a character find their actions reasonable when while digging graves while drunk and singing (5.1.66)? Reason and judgement are one in the same, however neither can exist when emotion blocks all sense of right and