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Hamlet Power Analysis

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In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, power is undoubtedly the reason behind his fight to purloin the throne from Claudius for his own benefit. As opposed to the common notion that Hamlet sought to remove the usurper of the throne, simply as an act of vengeance for his father. From using people in his life such as Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Polonius, and numerous other characters, Hamlet seeks to use his resources all as a means to gain the upper hand in his struggle against Claudius, and gain the power which should have rightfully been his.
Beginning with Hamlet’s initial encounter with, from what appeared to be the ghost of his father. Hamlet is galvanized by the words it has to say. “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. Murder most foul, as in the best it is, but this most foul, strange, and unnatural.” (1.5.31-37). These words are what suddenly unveil the enigma that is the death of King Hamlet, as well as being the catalyst for Hamlet’s plot to usurp the throne from Claudius. As the throne was rightfully his by blood, and clearly stolen by Claudius’ own selfish motives. Clearly, it is in this instance of such bitter distaste towards Claudius that Hamlet is not as galvanized by the death of his father, as most people would be. But rather towards the fact that Hamlet’s passage to …show more content…

Considering Ophelia becomes completely insane from Hamlet’s denunciation of his love for her, Hamlet’s fortuitous murder of Polonius, and his abrasive confrontation with Gertrude. In addition, his actions even triggers Claudius to attempt to subdue him, but only end up in the death of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who fell victims to the destructive and bloody path Hamlet had carved to the throne. Undoubtedly, it is all these events that certainly personify the estranged heir, as both a diabolical, and covetous heir. As his willingness

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For Claudius in Hamlet, his power is mainly used as manipulation, while Rex Walls in The Glass Castle abused his power in various ways, including physical force. The abuse of power is truly demonstrated in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, when Claudius’s true character as a man is tested while being given excessive amounts of power. Claudius is the main

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Claudius knows that Hamlet is still getting over his father's death which seems stubborn and “...‘tis unmanly grief: / it shows a will most incorrect to heaven; / a heart unfortified, a mind

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Although Hamlet is plotting to murder a king which is the highest form of treason any person could commit in his time, is made to seem like an honorable and justified action. Through the ghost of his father demanding that Hamlet avenge his untimely death by the hand of his brother, the audience disposes of this idea that plotting against and killing a king is treason. The audience understands Hamlets rage and desire for revenge and is encourages it although Claudius is the new king of Denmark and father to Hamlet. This betrayal Hamlet commits against his former uncle now his adoptive father would disgust the audience had it not been that Claudius was guilty of murdering Hamlets father and plotting to murder Hamlet. By having this double crossing it establishes how not even the bonds of family can quench the thirst for power and

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Shakespeare questions the value of revenge as a means of finding closure and justice, suggesting that it often leads to more harm than good. To draw a conclusion, the tragedy of revenge in Hamlet is a prominent theme in the play, demonstrating the destructive nature of seeking vengeance. Hamlet’s relentless pursuit of revenge causes internal conflicts, brings about a cycle of violence, and ultimately leads to tragic consequences for himself and people around him. Shakespeare’s exploration of this theme raises profound questions about the nature of revenge and its deeper effects on both individuals and

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If his own father -- who was, in Hamlet’s mind, revered and considered great -- is barely given a thought after his death, what will happen to Hamlet, a man not nearly half the one his father was? The subtle contrasts he makes of his father to Claudius -- “this Hyperion to a satyr” -- are not just surface level. They expose a side of Hamlet that is desperate for some assurance that he is worth something. The way he views himself, Claudius, and Old Hamlet revolves solely around the fact that Hamlet wants to be his own person, not just a replica of the two men who came before him. His act of killing Claudius for his father represents the closure he longs for; that he can requite how his father left this earth, and satisfy his own need to be

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This hunger for revenge encapsulates Hamlet in a casket of anger and hatred for Claudius who struck Hamlet’s father down in cold blood soon after Hamlet converses with the ghost of his father, the late King Hamlet. Through this dialogue, Hamlet learns that Claudius played a key role in the slaying of King Hamlet and had kept it from the view of the public. After this revelation occurs, Hamlet then commits to dispersing all life from the body of Claudius, quickly following the newly discovered, heinous actions of the suspected tyrant. However, Hamlet’s anger and fury clouded his judgement and heavily influenced the monumental decisions that he made during the poem to be, less than adequate as a whole. The story of Hamlet signifies the theme of revenge in a manner that defines how it can corrupt and destroy a person both, emotionally and physically.

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Hamlet, also, could not get over the death of his father. He found out when his father’s ghost came back that his brother, and Hamlet’s uncle, murdered him. He then was willing to do anything possible to get revenge on Claudius, his uncle. Both of

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Shown throughout the play, but most glaringly in act 3, scene 4, is Hamlet’s perception of Claudius being entirely colored by his father’s life, which clouds his judgment. To Hamlet, his father is “like the herald Mercury” (Hamlet 3.4.60) whereas Clauduis more resembles a “mildew’d ear”(Hamlet 3.4.66). In this scene, and throughout the play, Hamlet struggles with the role his father left behind. He idolizes his father to the point of self depreciation. Without his father around however, his mother and the world seem quick to move on, shattering his world view.

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In William Shakespeare’s, “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark”, a young prince named Hamlet is depressed and misguided. His father, the King has died and his mother Gertrude has already remarried his uncle Claudius. Hamlet is absolutely torn until his father’s ghost visits the castle and entreats Hamlet to avenge his death and kill his uncle King Claudius. Hamlet begins to test Claudius with plays and when Claudius finds out, all he has by his side is his councilor Polonius. Polonius tries to entrap Hamlet in every way possible, even by using his daughter Ophelia.

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In William Shakespeare’s well known play Hamlet , there are several acts of violence that often keep the readers on their toes constantly wondering what will happen next. It all begins with the death of King Hamlet and comes to an end with no royal family in control of the castle, Elsinore, in Denmark. Each character has their own unique motive for self gain throughout the play, but Hamlet has a strong drive for the dangerous game of revenge. Hamlet wants to earn justice for his father who had his kingdom, wife, and crown all stolen out from underneath him when his life is innocently taken by his greedy uncle. “To be or not to be?” is the question

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Laertes believes Hamlet is to blame not only for his father’s death, but also for Ophelia’s death because the death of her father is ultimately what drove her to killing herself. Once Laertes returns, he asks King Claudius who is responsible for the death of his father and is informed that Hamlet is the one to blame. Ophelia enters and reveals to everyone that she has gone crazy and ends up killing herself. Hamlet returns to Denmark and is surprised to find out that Ophelia has died. Laertes and Hamlet start fighting at her burial service and Hamlet says he wants to be

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1267 Words | 6 Pages

Hamlet, one of the world’s most popular revenge tragedies, is a play written between 1599 and 1601 by renown playwright William Shakespeare. It tells a story of the royal family of Denmark plagued by corruption and schism. Prince Hamlet, the protagonist, embarks on a journey of incessant brooding and contemplation on whether to avenge his father’s death. In Hamlet’s soliloquy, at the end of Act 2, Scene 2, he asks himself, ‘Am I a coward?’ (II.ii.523) after failing to carry out revenge.

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This amorality stems from his desire to avenge the “rank and gross[ly]” (Shakespeare, 29) cruel actions of his uncle, the King Claudius. In the end however, both Hamlet and Claudius die with little pomp, victims of each other in a cyclical stream of karma. Shakespeare uses this eventuality to denounce the use of cruelty as a means to an end, for it brings nought but meaningless death. The fact that Hamlet becomes so cruel specifically because of Claudius’ treachery is a testament to the relationship between oppressor and oppressed. As Hamlet becomes that which he once hated, Shakespeare emphasizes the fact that the line between victim and oppressor is often more blurred than defined.

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679 Words | 3 Pages

First of all, King Claudius’s ambition to become the next King of Denmark causes him to lose his conscience. As King Hamlet’s ghost reveals the truth of his death, he anguishes, “Thus was I [King Hamlet], sleeping, by a brother’s hand, Of life, of crown, of queen at once dispatched” (1.5.81-82). The throne of Denmark motivates King Claudius to slay his own biological brother to succeed King Hamlet’s “crown”. His desire to gain power has overwhelming covered up his moral values.

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757 Words | 4 Pages

Hamlet quotes he is “revengeful, ambitious, with more offences at my beck” (III.i.126-127) when talking to Ophelia. He acknowledges his own ambition for revenge and is even able to admit to to, claiming that King Hamlet’s passing was constantly on his thoughts. His actions and intentions in the play all lead up to one thing: getting revenge on Claudius. Not only did Claudius murder him, he also stole Hamlet’s rightful position as king. Another example is during Hamlet confrontation with the ghost when he says “wings as swift, As meditation or the thoughts of love, May sweep to my revenge” (I.iv.35-37).

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