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Shakespeare Use Of Motifs In Hamlet

1819 Words8 Pages

Ariana Milewski
1/12/2023
Period: 3B
Mr. Denbaum
English 12 H “. “
The numerous repetition of motifs in Shakespeare's tragedies are well known. One of the most potent and important tragedies ever written in the English language is Hamlet, a tragedy by William Shakespeare. Hamlet is a play that delves into the complexities of human nature, exploring themes such as vengeance, madness, and suicide. The play centers around the Prince of Denmark, Hamlet, who is consumed by the desire to avenge his father's murder at the hands of his uncle, Claudius. Through the struggles and conflicts of the characters, Shakespeare provides a commentary on the human experience and the moral dilemmas that individuals …show more content…

It is an emotional response to being wronged and can manifest in various forms, such as seeking legal retribution, seeking personal retribution, or seeking emotional closure. It is one of the main themes in Shakespeare's play Hamlet. Hamlet is consumed by the desire to avenge his father's death and spends the majority of the play plotting and scheming to do so. He is driven by his belief that his father's murder must be avenged to restore justice and bring peace to his family and the kingdom. However, as the play progresses, it becomes clear that the desire for vengeance has consumed Hamlet, leading him to become increasingly erratic and unstable. This is highlighted in the famous soliloquy in Act 2, Scene 2, where Hamlet contemplates the nature of vengeance and the morality of taking another's life, stating "To be, or not to be: that is the question: / Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / Or to take arms against a sea of troubles / And by opposing end them" (II.ii.1-5). Through this soliloquy, Shakespeare illustrates the inner turmoil and moral dilemma that Hamlet faces as he weighs the pros and cons of taking vengeance. He is torn between his desire for justice and his reluctance to commit murder and possibly damning his soul. This is like when Mark Rose stated, “The story of …show more content…

It is a serious public health concern and a leading cause of death worldwide. Suicide is often the result of untreated mental health conditions such as depression, and anxiety. The theme of suicide is introduced early on in the play when Hamlet is visited by the ghost of his father, who reveals that he was murdered by his uncle, Claudius. The ghost urges Hamlet to take vengeance for his death but also hints at the idea of suicide when he says "If thou didst ever thy dear father love- / Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder" (Act 1, Scene 5, lines 25-26). From this point on, the theme of suicide is present throughout the play as Hamlet grapples with the idea of ending his own life. The theme of suicide is highlighted in the famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy, where Hamlet states "To be, or not to be: that is the question: / Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / Or to take arms against a sea of troubles / And by opposing end them" (Act 2, Scene 2, lines 1-5). Through this soliloquy, Shakespeare suggests that Hamlet is contemplating the idea of ending his own life, and is weighing the pros and cons of suicide. He is torn between the desire to end his suffering and the fear of what comes after death. The quote "Oh God" "I could be bound in a nutshell and count myself of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams" (II.I.258-60) is spoken by Mark Rose. The

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