Hamlet Themes
Introduction
William Shakespeare's Hamlet is a tragic story entangled in a web of deceit and vengeance. Hamlet provides some insight into modern society, as the play involves many issues which are still very relevant in today's world. Although Hamlet is by now over 400 years old, its interpretation of the human mind is timeless.The key themes behind Hamlet are the price of vengeance, effects of deception, madness and the consequences of corruption. The themes that Shakespeare expresses in Hamlet are just as relevant to today's society, perhaps even more so.
The Theme of Revenge in Hamlet
The cover of Hamlet in 1605
Modern day society is obsessed with a belief in revenge. The media constantly bombards society with depictions of supposedly "sweet" revenge. Films and novels are often based entirely around the heroic figure's quest for revenge, while newspapers portray stories of vengeance such as wars, law suits and murder.
"Revenge is Sweet"? Well, according to many movies and television shows, revenge is indeed very sweet. But in Hamlet Shakespeare challenges common beliefs about revenge. Is revenge always sweet or is it, as in the case of Hamlet, a bittersweet affair attained at a high price?
In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the hero is the representation of society and mankind, blinded by a lust for revenge which steers him down the path of evil. Inevitably, this path leads not only to his own death but the death of his family, the woman he loves, and ultimately the destruction of the throne of Denmark.
The Theme of Deception in Hamlet
Deception is a large aspect of Hamlet, as every character is very seriously affected by it in one form or another. Hamlet illustrates the dangerous influences that deception can have on relationships and family trust. Shakespeare demonstrates direct and very harsh consequences to deception throughout Hamlet.Two of the character's lives are taken in the play purely because of a lie. Things turn against Claudius, the new King, who is the first to deceive the people around him, and in the end he pays very dearly for it too. And relationships are ruined between Hamlet and most of the characters because of the web of lies strung around each character.
The Theme of Madness and Suicide in Hamlet
Madness can be a state of mind a person enters when unable, or unwilling, to tolerate real life anymore. In Hamlet, Ophelia turns to madness when she can no longer tolerate the confusion all around her and the turmoil of her own mind. We then see how a person who is mad or depressed, may begin to contemplate suicide, as a final escape from confusion, as is the case with Ophelia.The Theme of Immorality and Consequences in Hamlet
In Hamlet, Shakespeare illustrates the theme of man facing consequences for misdeeds, strongly reinforcing a sense of "reaping what is sowed". Man's continual struggle with morals has been a classic example used in stories ever since the beginning of history.Hamlet, the hero and representation of humanity, is thus tempted similarly through his blindness towards wrong doing. He sows murder and deceit in the name of vengeance, but, ironically, is himself deceived and then murdered by a similar character to himself as an act of revenge.
Conclusion
Hamlet challenges many of today's conventional thoughts and beliefs, particularly about vengeance and deceit, and the consequences of doing wrong. One of the morals of the play Hamlet is to forgive and forget rather than plotting revenge. Another lesson from Hamlet concerns avoiding starting down a path of evil where deeds slowly becomes worse and worse without the person confronting their gradual corruption.Related Articles
Hamlet Quotes - Quotes from William Shakespeare's Hamlet by Act and Scene, including quotes by Hamlet, Polonius, Claudius, Ophelia, Gertrude and Horatio.
Hamlet Characters - The main characters of the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, including Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, Ophelia, Polonius and Laertes - and the plot summary.