Hamlet Free Writing
Question #1: Claudius: Good Ruler or Poor Ruler?
I remember having a discussion with my table group, talking about whether Claudius is a good or bad ruler, and is he a good or bad father. Most of us suggested that Claudius was a good leader as he is making decisions for the safety of his people. “Thus set it down: he shall with speed to England/For the demand of our neglected tribute” (Shakespeare 146). Claudius simply doesn’t want anyone to be affected by Hamlet’s “insanity”. The following quote also shows that Claudius is a good ruler. “Take thy fair hour, Laertes. time be thine, and thy best graces spend it at thy will” (Shakespeare 22). The quote represents how Claudius allows his subjects freedom. Although Claudius may be a good ruler, he definitely is not a good father. My table group discussed how we wouldn’t want Claudius to be our father for his malicious behaviour. In the story, Hamlet discovers that Claudius was responsible for his father’s death, and marries his mother whilst taking over the throne. “Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast, with witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts” (Shakespeare 64). As Hamlet struggles his way through, Claudius is now imperiously demanding to make Hamlet move to England. Imagine your step father sending you off to another country, simply because you’ve been acting a little insane.
After some time, I have decided to come back to this prompt. In history class, we learned about Niccolo Machiavelli, the author of The Prince. This treatise was published around the 1500s and it is basically about what Machiavelli thinks is the best way to rule a kingdom. Machiavelli never mentions that a successful ruler should be generous. In fact, his theory is that rulers should be manipulative. His thoughts has lead to controversy -- no doubt about it. But this allowed me to make connections with the play, Hamlet, which was also published around the same time as The Prince. “And where the offense is, let the great ax fall. I pray you go with me” (Shakespeare 252). This quote was said by Claudius after he made plans with Laertes in order to kill Hamlet. This just shows how Claudius will kill of anyone that is a threat to him.
After some time, I have decided to come back to this prompt. In history class, we learned about Niccolo Machiavelli, the author of The Prince. This treatise was published around the 1500s and it is basically about what Machiavelli thinks is the best way to rule a kingdom. Machiavelli never mentions that a successful ruler should be generous. In fact, his theory is that rulers should be manipulative. His thoughts has lead to controversy -- no doubt about it. But this allowed me to make connections with the play, Hamlet, which was also published around the same time as The Prince. “And where the offense is, let the great ax fall. I pray you go with me” (Shakespeare 252). This quote was said by Claudius after he made plans with Laertes in order to kill Hamlet. This just shows how Claudius will kill of anyone that is a threat to him.
Question #2: Hamlet & Ophelia: Is it love?
What is love? From what I know, love has an endless list of definitions. Love could be the feeling of ecstasy or devotion to a significant other. Some may think of love as a general act of kindness. In the play Hamlet, Shakespeare brings our attention to the ingenuous relationship of Hamlet and Ophelia -- the two star lovers who greatly emphasizes the theme of love.
In the beginning of the play, Hamlet’s love for Ophelia is quite clear. “He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders/Of his affection to me” (Shakespeare). Yet Ophelia’s addle thoughts about Hamlet offering his love convinced me that their love was unrequited. She says to her father, Polonius, “I do not know, my lord, what I should think” (Shakespeare 46). as her own father tries to convince her that what Hamlet is suggesting is simply a trap. Although, this is not enough evidence for me to fully assume that Hamlet and Ophelia’s love is not love.
Hamlet writes his own letter to Ophelia, “Doubt thou the stars are fire, Doubt that the sun doth move, Doubt truth to be a liar, But never doubt I love” (Shakespeare 94). We can infer from this letter that in fact, Hamlet’s love for Ophelia is real. Although Shakespeare -- yet again -- contradicts this idea with the following quote, “Those that are married already, all but one, shall live. The rest shall keep as they are. To nunnery, go” (Shakespeare 144). In this quote, we can see that Hamlet is trying to lose all contact with Ophelia. This only convinced me that Hamlet clearly doesn’t want to be with Ophelia at all. We have to keep in mind that Hamlet has gone through a lot in this play. His father died, his mother married his Uncle shortly after. As if his situation couldn’t get any worse, eventually, Hamlet finds out that his father was killed by his Uncle. We honestly can’t blame Hamlet for having mixed emotions for Ophelia. He was gradually losing all faith to people.
Towards the end of the play, there is evidence that convinced me with a final statement: Hamlet and Ophelia’s love is real. “I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers/Could not with all their quantity of love/Make up my sum” (Shakespeare 296). In this quote, Hamlet expresses his love for Ophelia after she has died. It seems like Hamlet has been doing all these things such as telling her to go to a nunnery to manipulate people into thinking that he was not interested in her anymore. That way, Hamlet thought Ophelia would be safe from harm.
Despite the misconceptions and contradictions that Shakespeare has written, all in all, I believe Hamlet and Ophelia’s love was real.
In the beginning of the play, Hamlet’s love for Ophelia is quite clear. “He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders/Of his affection to me” (Shakespeare). Yet Ophelia’s addle thoughts about Hamlet offering his love convinced me that their love was unrequited. She says to her father, Polonius, “I do not know, my lord, what I should think” (Shakespeare 46). as her own father tries to convince her that what Hamlet is suggesting is simply a trap. Although, this is not enough evidence for me to fully assume that Hamlet and Ophelia’s love is not love.
Hamlet writes his own letter to Ophelia, “Doubt thou the stars are fire, Doubt that the sun doth move, Doubt truth to be a liar, But never doubt I love” (Shakespeare 94). We can infer from this letter that in fact, Hamlet’s love for Ophelia is real. Although Shakespeare -- yet again -- contradicts this idea with the following quote, “Those that are married already, all but one, shall live. The rest shall keep as they are. To nunnery, go” (Shakespeare 144). In this quote, we can see that Hamlet is trying to lose all contact with Ophelia. This only convinced me that Hamlet clearly doesn’t want to be with Ophelia at all. We have to keep in mind that Hamlet has gone through a lot in this play. His father died, his mother married his Uncle shortly after. As if his situation couldn’t get any worse, eventually, Hamlet finds out that his father was killed by his Uncle. We honestly can’t blame Hamlet for having mixed emotions for Ophelia. He was gradually losing all faith to people.
Towards the end of the play, there is evidence that convinced me with a final statement: Hamlet and Ophelia’s love is real. “I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers/Could not with all their quantity of love/Make up my sum” (Shakespeare 296). In this quote, Hamlet expresses his love for Ophelia after she has died. It seems like Hamlet has been doing all these things such as telling her to go to a nunnery to manipulate people into thinking that he was not interested in her anymore. That way, Hamlet thought Ophelia would be safe from harm.
Despite the misconceptions and contradictions that Shakespeare has written, all in all, I believe Hamlet and Ophelia’s love was real.
Question #3: Polonius: Good Father or Bad Father?
In the play Hamlet by Shakespeare, it suggests that Polonius is a good father to a certain extent. Since we haven’t read that far into the book, there are only a few examples that could support Polonius as a good father. When Polonius helps his son, Laertes prepare for his journey, he gives out some good advices. “Give every man thy ear but few thy voice. Take each man’s censure but reserve thy judgement” (Shakespeare 44). Polonius is that typical parent that reminds their child to do and not do all these things. Polonius is good in a sense that he wants his son to behave his best. He wants to be sure that Laertes will stay out of any trouble while he is visiting France. In the scene where Polonius and Ophelia discuss about Hamlet, Polonius shows his concern towards the relationship between his own daughter and Hamlet. Ophelia blatantly states that Hamlet has been offering a lot of affection, but her father replies, “Affection! Pooh, you speak like a green girl, Unsifted in such perilous circumstance” (Shakespeare 46). Polonius states how he knows the games that men play in trying to trap women into thinking of true love. “Ay springes to catch woodcocks, I do know, when the blood burns, how prodigal the soul lends the tongue vows” (Shakespeare 48). He strictly tells his daughter not to fall into Hamlet’s trap, his love vows, for in the end, she will be heartbroken. From this we understand how Polonius is very protective of his loving daughter, Ophelia. Any father wouldn’t want their daughter be hurt by some boy. Although is it right to make assumptions of a man he barely knows? And does that make Polonius a bad father? As of now, I am not sure.
After reading more of Hamlet, I have come to a conclusion that Polonius is a good father. There are a few times that I thought Polonius was a bad father, but instead it was more like he just had this other side of him -- a different side from the caring father towards his children. Although he can be extremely overcautious, he still has the effort to look after his children and give them good advice.
After reading more of Hamlet, I have come to a conclusion that Polonius is a good father. There are a few times that I thought Polonius was a bad father, but instead it was more like he just had this other side of him -- a different side from the caring father towards his children. Although he can be extremely overcautious, he still has the effort to look after his children and give them good advice.
Question #4: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: Did they deserve their fate?
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are basically two characters in one. They are always together, and they do things together. “Bother your majesties/Might, by the sovereign power you have of us, Put your dread pleasures more into command/Than to entreaty” (Shakespeare 88). In the first scene they show up, they are already trying to get on the right side of Claudius. Which I don’t blame them for, because the king can do whatever they want if his court members disobey him. Yet we see more of their character when Claudius decides to send Hamlet off to England. “My lord, you once did love me” (Shakespeare 178). Sure, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern must have been close friends of Hamlet before his father died. But now the two of them are willing to take Hamlet to England where he will be killed. I guess there is that sense of betrayal. But I'm still not sure if Rosencrantz and Guildenstern really deserved their fate. I mean I guess they betrayed Hamlet, but did they really have a choice? “Call me an instrument you will, though you can fret me, yet you cannot play upon me” (Shakespeare 180). This quote shows how at this point, Hamlet was really tired of everyone. He simply stated that he wouldn’t allow anyone to control or manipulate him in anyway. This could also mean that he was really directing it to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, whether they were aware of it or not. Hamlet was frustrated that his old friends were now leading him to his death.
In conclusion, I can’t really take a side on whether Rosencrantz and Guildenstern deserved their fate. Yes, they betrayed their close friend to gain the favour of the king. And yes, they also didn’t really have a choice but to take the king’s orders. After all, as stated in this quote from Guildenstern, “O my lord, if my duty be too bold, my love is too unmannerly” (Shakespeare 178). It shows that they still cared about Hamlet. Honestly, although it might sound a little mean, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern seem to be in the background most of the time, so I can’t get myself to commiserate their death.
In conclusion, I can’t really take a side on whether Rosencrantz and Guildenstern deserved their fate. Yes, they betrayed their close friend to gain the favour of the king. And yes, they also didn’t really have a choice but to take the king’s orders. After all, as stated in this quote from Guildenstern, “O my lord, if my duty be too bold, my love is too unmannerly” (Shakespeare 178). It shows that they still cared about Hamlet. Honestly, although it might sound a little mean, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern seem to be in the background most of the time, so I can’t get myself to commiserate their death.
Question #5: Hamlet's Revenge: Justified or Not?
What does justify mean? According to Merriam-Webster, justify means to prove or show to be just, right, or reasonable. So the real question is, can Hamlet’s revenge -- killing Claudius -- be justified? Since we are still reading the process of Hamlet’s revenge, there are only a few things that I can note.
The idea of revenge on Claudius started when Hamlet encountered a ghost. The ghost turns out to be Hamlet’s father, the king who reigned before Claudius. The ghost lets Hamlet know that he was killed by Claudius, his own brother. “Let not the royal bed of Denmark be/A couch for luxury and damned incest./But howsoever thou pursuest this act/Against thy mother aught” (Shakespeare 66). In this quote, the ghost is telling Hamlet that he wants him to take revenge. Hamlet, being the honorable son, decides to avenge his father’s death. “So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word” (Shakespeare 66).
I would describe Hamlet’s revenge as piecemeal development, as he begins his revenge through a play. He asks the players to create a play in which a brother kills the king in his sleep. Simply, he wanted them to reenact the what Claudius has done and observe his reaction, “Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king” (Shakespeare 132). Hamlet wanted to be sure if the ghost was telling him the truth about the murder. So far, this seems to be a justified revenge. Hamlet wants to be sure of murder and wants to humiliate Claudius in front of everyone.
After some time away from this prompt, I conclude that Hamlet’s revenge is indeed justifiable. We live in the 21st century, in which killing others for revenge, let alone killing people, is unacceptable. With this mindset, I think students who read this in our present generation would most likely believe that Hamlet’s revenge cannot be justified. But let us put ourselves in the mindset of the people in Hamlet’s generation. The setting of Hamlet is around the 14th to 15th century. From what I haved learned in history class, people were brutal during this time in regards to fighting. Therefore, killing people for revenge during Hamlet’s time must have been “normal”.
The idea of revenge on Claudius started when Hamlet encountered a ghost. The ghost turns out to be Hamlet’s father, the king who reigned before Claudius. The ghost lets Hamlet know that he was killed by Claudius, his own brother. “Let not the royal bed of Denmark be/A couch for luxury and damned incest./But howsoever thou pursuest this act/Against thy mother aught” (Shakespeare 66). In this quote, the ghost is telling Hamlet that he wants him to take revenge. Hamlet, being the honorable son, decides to avenge his father’s death. “So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word” (Shakespeare 66).
I would describe Hamlet’s revenge as piecemeal development, as he begins his revenge through a play. He asks the players to create a play in which a brother kills the king in his sleep. Simply, he wanted them to reenact the what Claudius has done and observe his reaction, “Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king” (Shakespeare 132). Hamlet wanted to be sure if the ghost was telling him the truth about the murder. So far, this seems to be a justified revenge. Hamlet wants to be sure of murder and wants to humiliate Claudius in front of everyone.
After some time away from this prompt, I conclude that Hamlet’s revenge is indeed justifiable. We live in the 21st century, in which killing others for revenge, let alone killing people, is unacceptable. With this mindset, I think students who read this in our present generation would most likely believe that Hamlet’s revenge cannot be justified. But let us put ourselves in the mindset of the people in Hamlet’s generation. The setting of Hamlet is around the 14th to 15th century. From what I haved learned in history class, people were brutal during this time in regards to fighting. Therefore, killing people for revenge during Hamlet’s time must have been “normal”.
Question #6: Hamlet in the 21st Century: Does the play have a role?
I believe that any form of literature from the past has a role in the 21st century. Shakespeare’s plays have been adapted into modern forms of entertainment such as movies. Although unfortunately, there aren't any movies that remind me of Hamlet. But I still think the play has a significant role that will help students with critical thinking, self-discipline, and loyalty amongst people.
Our protagonist, Hamlet, is definitely not living the life he desires. His father died, and his mother married his Uncle, Claudius. Later Hamlet finds out that Claudius killed his father which is when the whole story takes a turn. Hamlet begins to question his existence. “To be, or not to be? That is the question” (Shakespeare 138). Hamlet shows a wide range of “insanity” as the story continues. First of all, students of the 21st century can definitely express sympathy for the situation Hamlet is brought into. We have struggles we encounter as well, and there is no doubt that it brings us down. But when Hamlet decides to kill Claudius as revenge, we start to question whether his act of revenge is justified or not. This idea of justification in the story had a role in the 21st century. Hamlet is a confused man, who is not in his right state of mind. Here is when the story plays a huge role in the 21st century. Students who read Hamlet can pull out the importance of self-discipline and justification in the way we seek “revenge” for something. Violence is definitely unacceptable in the present day, so finding an alternative to solve a problem is just one of those basic lessons that students often forget.
Loyalty is another aspect that we can take away from this play. Hamlet has a very loyal friend who stays on his side throughout the whole play -- Horatio. Horatio first shows his care for Hamlet when he tries to hold him back from following the ghost, “Be ruled. You shall not go” (Shakespeare 56). Towards the end of the play, Horatio speaks, “I am more an antique Roman than a Dane. Here’s yet some liquor left” (Shakespeare 330). The liquor that Horatio is referring to is the poisoned drink. He shows his loyalty when he says he would rather commit suicide than let his friend die before him.
Apart from the lessons that students can learn from Hamlet, the story also plays a role in critical thinking. Hamlet is rather another one of Shakespeare’s complicated plays. Shakespeare includes many contradictions in the story, such as Hamlet and Ophelia’s love -- is it sincere and real? Is Claudius a good or bad ruler? There is so much evidence that could answer a specific question, but Shakespeare will addle our minds on the next page with contradiction. Students may have difficulty reading Hamlet for the first time. But looking past all of the contradictions is the key to really understand the story of Hamlet. The play itself allows students to think more, to look beyond the text that is given. Most of Shakespeare’s plays don’t have conspicuous themes or ideas on the surface of the text. With guidance in class, students can improve on their critical thinking, which is vital for when they take future tests.
So to conclude, I think Hamlet does have a role in the 21st century.
Our protagonist, Hamlet, is definitely not living the life he desires. His father died, and his mother married his Uncle, Claudius. Later Hamlet finds out that Claudius killed his father which is when the whole story takes a turn. Hamlet begins to question his existence. “To be, or not to be? That is the question” (Shakespeare 138). Hamlet shows a wide range of “insanity” as the story continues. First of all, students of the 21st century can definitely express sympathy for the situation Hamlet is brought into. We have struggles we encounter as well, and there is no doubt that it brings us down. But when Hamlet decides to kill Claudius as revenge, we start to question whether his act of revenge is justified or not. This idea of justification in the story had a role in the 21st century. Hamlet is a confused man, who is not in his right state of mind. Here is when the story plays a huge role in the 21st century. Students who read Hamlet can pull out the importance of self-discipline and justification in the way we seek “revenge” for something. Violence is definitely unacceptable in the present day, so finding an alternative to solve a problem is just one of those basic lessons that students often forget.
Loyalty is another aspect that we can take away from this play. Hamlet has a very loyal friend who stays on his side throughout the whole play -- Horatio. Horatio first shows his care for Hamlet when he tries to hold him back from following the ghost, “Be ruled. You shall not go” (Shakespeare 56). Towards the end of the play, Horatio speaks, “I am more an antique Roman than a Dane. Here’s yet some liquor left” (Shakespeare 330). The liquor that Horatio is referring to is the poisoned drink. He shows his loyalty when he says he would rather commit suicide than let his friend die before him.
Apart from the lessons that students can learn from Hamlet, the story also plays a role in critical thinking. Hamlet is rather another one of Shakespeare’s complicated plays. Shakespeare includes many contradictions in the story, such as Hamlet and Ophelia’s love -- is it sincere and real? Is Claudius a good or bad ruler? There is so much evidence that could answer a specific question, but Shakespeare will addle our minds on the next page with contradiction. Students may have difficulty reading Hamlet for the first time. But looking past all of the contradictions is the key to really understand the story of Hamlet. The play itself allows students to think more, to look beyond the text that is given. Most of Shakespeare’s plays don’t have conspicuous themes or ideas on the surface of the text. With guidance in class, students can improve on their critical thinking, which is vital for when they take future tests.
So to conclude, I think Hamlet does have a role in the 21st century.