Research has proven that humans unconsciously mimic the emotional expressions of those around them. This makes emotions contagious. Many feelings can be found throughout the story of Hamlet. For example, love, lust, anger, and depression are just some of the few felt by the characters. If people let their emotions get the best of them, it can cause them to act preposterous. When a person becomes overwhelmed with emotions, said emotions become so strong that they overpower the individual’s ability to cope. Hamlet is engulfed with emotions after learning the truth about his father’s death and seeks revenge. He learns that his uncle, Claudius, the current king, killed his father, King Hamlet (Claudius’ brother). Hamlet doesn’t know how to properly process these emotions and starts to act out as he plans his revenge. The feelings he feels here are negative and confusing, which is how most …show more content…
Guilt is felt by many characters in the narrative, such as Gerturde, Hamlet, and Claudius. Claudius feels extreme guilt while watching the play Hamlet organizes to expose the truth behind King Hamlet’s death, and leaves. He isn’t able to think things through and lets his body take control. This alerts Hamlet and reveals that Claudius is a murderer who regrets what he's done. Guilt cannot be put in the category of a negative or positive emotion, since guilt can be helpful and damaging. Anger is an emotion with physiological effects, which can fog decision making and lead to irrational thinking. Polonius is accidentally killed by Hamlet when he is caught spying on Hamlet and his mother’s conversation. Laertes grows emotional after hearing about his father’s death and immediately wants blood on his sword. He is submerged in a river of anger that prevents him from thinking straight. He even goes as far as planning the death of Hamlet. This is another negative feeling that drives a character to do things before