Shakespeare’s Definition of a “Real Man” Throughout history, gender roles have influenced the expected behavior of men and women alike. During the late 1500s and early 1600s when Shakespeare originally wrote the play Hamlet, there were strong attributes that characterized a male human as a true ‘man” in the eyes of society. The play Hamlet by William Shakespeare includes several male roles that reflect Shakespeare’s views of what a real man was supposed to be, including the characteristics of emotional stability, action, and strength. An argument can be made from Hamlet that one characteristic that defines a real man is the ability to keep emotions stable. Throughout the play, the character Hamlet is a prime example of Shakespeare’s view
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Hamlet often alludes to Hercules, of Greek mythology, and contrasts himself with Hercules at times when he lacks strength. Near the beginning of the play, Hamlet is mourning the death of his father and despises Claudius for marrying his mother and taking the thrown. When comparing his father and his uncle, Hamlet says that Claudius is “no more like [his] father Than [he] to Hercules”. Previous lines in the play reveal that Hamlet doesn’t believe that Claudius is as good of a man as his father. By using this information, the play reveals that Hamlet believes he is as different from Hercules as Claudius is from his father. Hamlet believes he is weak by contrasting himself from Hercules. Because Hamlet is Shakespeare’s example of a delicate man in the play, this weakness in Hamlet makes him less of a man. Hamlet alludes to the strong Greek god Hercules in another situation in which Hamlet needs strength. While on watch at night, Hamlet sees the ghost of his dead father, who beckons Hamlet to follow him. Hamlet pleas for “the Nemean lion’s nerve” to give him the strength and courage to follow the ghost. Hamlet is showing his weakness and vulnerability by expressing his lack of strength. He hopes that he can obtain the strength of the Nemean lion, who was thought of as a strong, fearless beast that Hercules faced in one mythological story. Hamlet openly shows that he lacks strength, which makes him less of a
Hamlet often alludes to Hercules, of Greek mythology, and contrasts himself with Hercules at times when he lacks strength. Near the beginning of the play, Hamlet is mourning the death of his father and despises Claudius for marrying his mother and taking the thrown. When comparing his father and his uncle, Hamlet says that Claudius is “no more like [his] father Than [he] to Hercules”. Previous lines in the play reveal that Hamlet doesn’t believe that Claudius is as good of a man as his father. By using this information, the play reveals that Hamlet believes he is as different from Hercules as Claudius is from his father. Hamlet believes he is weak by contrasting himself from Hercules. Because Hamlet is Shakespeare’s example of a delicate man in the play, this weakness in Hamlet makes him less of a man. Hamlet alludes to the strong Greek god Hercules in another situation in which Hamlet needs strength. While on watch at night, Hamlet sees the ghost of his dead father, who beckons Hamlet to follow him. Hamlet pleas for “the Nemean lion’s nerve” to give him the strength and courage to follow the ghost. Hamlet is showing his weakness and vulnerability by expressing his lack of strength. He hopes that he can obtain the strength of the Nemean lion, who was thought of as a strong, fearless beast that Hercules faced in one mythological story. Hamlet openly shows that he lacks strength, which makes him less of a