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Motifs In Hamlet

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Shakespeare’s Hamlet has numerous literary elements and motifs, which allows for many analytical possibilities. Hamlet presents a personal battle of a young prince. The ghost of the king asks that Hamlet kill Claudius, and discusses the murder in the context of his faith. “Let not the royal bed of Denmark be a couch for luxury and damned incest.” (Hamlet, Act I:Scene IV) The king’s ghost wants to get revenge on his brother, but he also wants to stop the corruption that is happening within the kingdom under Claudius’ rule. Friedrich Nietzsche said, “There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.” Hamlet is so busy battling conflicts with religion and his father that ended disregards his own mental state. …show more content…

Throughout the play, Hamlet is torn between the two important aspects, and finds himself unable to come to a conclusion over whether he should honor his father's request, or allow the higher power to take control of the situation. The scene where Hamlet doesn’t kill Claudius while he is in prayer is ironic because before Hamlet enters the scene, Claudius says that he doesn't believe his prayers will repent his sins. “But to confront the visage of offence? And what’s in prayer but this twofold force, To be forestallèd ere we come to fall Or pardoned being down? Then I’ll look up. My fault is past. But oh, what form of prayer Can serve my turn, “Forgive me my foul murder?” (Hamlet, Act III, scene III) Through Hamlet’s beliefs, murder can not be pardoned with unless cogent reasoning is given, but this brings conflict because Hamlet must spy on the people close to him in order to gather the information needed to follow through with his plan. Hamlet stays true to his religion by trying to control his behavior and balancing his feelings with his religious beliefs. “The spirit that I have seen may be the devil: and the devil hath power To assume a pleasing shape; and perhaps Out of my weakness and my melancholy, As he is very potent with such spirits, Abuses me to damn me.” (Hamlet, Scene II, Act

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