Examples Of External Conflict In Hamlet

A tragic plot of revenge, murder, madness, and the contemplation of suicide defines the classic novel Hamlet written by English poet and writer, William Shakespeare. Shakespeare’s novels all surround the main idea of comedy, and tragedy; in this case, the novel Hamlet demonstrates the clear root of tragedy, madness, and revenge. The external conflicts within Hamlet reflect Hamlet’s internal struggles and emotions, and feed into the misconception of real life vs. reality. Like most endings, conflicts that occur outside of one’s mind usually end with an emotion that an individual obtains after it is done- this is the same for Hamlet, however in a far more dramatic occurrence. The external conflicts in Shakespeare’s Hamlet result in Hamlet’s internal

Hamlet is so disgusted with the marriage that he states, “O, that this too too solid flesh would melt… But break, my heart; for I must hold my tongue” (Act 1, Scene 2 lines 133-135). Hamlet is so disgusted with his mother’s marriage to her husband’s brother, and her insensitivity; he believes that she has changed and shown her true colors within the marriage. Hamlet can’t help himself from wondering why she chose to marry Claudius, and why she is satisfied with him. Hamlet grows a hatred towards his mother because of the marriage, and her constant defence for Claudius. Hamlet is also encountered by the ghost of his father with Gertrude… Gertrude cannot see the ghost, but Hamlet can: “To whom do you speak of this?/ Do you see nothing there?..” (Act 3, Scene 4 lines 136-137). Because Gertrude cannot see this immortal figure, Hamlet is convinced of her betrayal to her husband, and even Hamlet as well. He is disgusted with Gertrude, and their relationship between one another deteriorates deeper and deeper into the novel because of their differences. Hamlet cannot look at his mother as a motherly figure anymore; he is disgusted with her inability to address his father, and her refusal to believe him that Claudius murdered his father. This leads to his madness because Hamlet’s mother is the only other individual within the royal family that is left; now that she doesn’t believe him and is sided with Claudius, he feels as though she is unappreciative of Hamlet’s father’s love for her, and of Hamlet as a son as well. He is left alone with these internal struggles of illusion vs. reality, and the question if his life means anything at