The Theme Of Disillusionment In Shakespeare's Hamlet

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Disillusionment is a concept that can change a person’s perspective in one split second. A sudden change in mood can prompt men to think irrationally. From such anger comes disillusionment. The issue is that with disillusionment, people cannot separate emotion from logic. Hamlet’s extended disillusionment, prompted by his knowledge of Old Hamlet’s death, causes Hamlet to conclude that there is nothing but bad in the people and world that he lives. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlet’s disillusionment results in his downfall by not only killing Claudius, the one he sought revenge on, but by bringing upon more deaths of those he loved. Hamlet, an observant, attentive being, gains knowledge of Claudius’ wrongdoings that Old Hamlet was not dead because …show more content…
Hamlet doubts Gertrude’s sincerity because she should have “mourn’d longer” (1.2.151). And although Gertrude cried “like Niobe,” her actions revealed that she was not full of grief (1.2.149). With Hamlet’s repetition of the word “month,” he states the view that Gertrude’s love was all an act because who loves someone but moves on in so little time. Unable to cope with what his mother and uncle did, Hamlet resulted in disillusionment. The incestuous marriage led to the resignation of Hamlet because no matter what he can say or do, he knew that there was nothing to be done. Although Hamlet could not take action, the concept of revenge draped over his conscience. Not only did his mother’s actions underscore Hamlet’s anger, but also with his high regard of Old Hamlet, “like a Hyperion,” his grief was intensified (1.2.141). Because of Hamlet’s reverent view of Old Hamlet, the encounter with the ghost deepened Hamlet’s anger towards Claudius. When speaking to the ghost, Hamlet was given the story of how Old Hamlet was actually killed. The knowledge of Claudius’ mischievous actions causes Hamlet to seek revenge, fulfilling the ghost’s wishes. In respect for Old Hamlet, Hamlet knows he must take action. …show more content…
From the moment Hamlet knew of his mother’s incestuous love with Claudius, Hamlet’s whole view of women shifted. A woman Hamlet so loved lost all respect from one decision: once viewed as honorable, Gertrude’s decision to marry Claudius caused Hamlet’s disillusionment to conclude that “frailty, thy name is woman” (1.2.146)! Hamlet’s disapproval blurred his view of women and switched his perspective from honorable to shameful. Not only did Hamlet target women by stating that all are weak, but he also stated that all women should go “to a nunnery” because they are the source of sin (3.1.130-131). Hamlet believed that there was no point in having children because the child will be a sinner and enter the world full of sinners and pain too. This pessimistic view of women caused Hamlet to be disillusioned, prompting him to question his own existence in such a despicable world. Hamlet’s situation altered his perspective of the world, because “what a piece of work is a man” (2.2.285). Although all men and women were created by the highest, almighty God, men are the ones who destroy their own status. Hamlet’s disillusionment caused Hamlet to lose faith and trust in all man giving him the perspective that all living has no sense of worth. Hamlet believed that all men are “quintessence of dust” because in the end, no matter where one

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