Personality man “Hamlet”

Essay by Reyes92B+, October 2014

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Mayra Reyes

Professor Novotny

ENG-102

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Personality man "Hamlet"

Hamlet is arguably the greatest dramatic character ever created. From the moment we meet the crestfallen prince we are enraptured by his elegant intensity. Shrouded in his inky cloak, Hamlet is a man of radical contradictions he is reckless yet cautious, courteous yet uncivil, tender yet ferocious. "Hamlet is viewed as a heroic tragic figure even though his indecision cripples him in an understandably crippling situation" (Reidalot). He meets his father's death with consuming outrage and righteous indignation, yet shows no compunction when he himself is responsible for the deaths of the meddling Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and the pontificating lord chamberlain, Polonius. He uses the fragile and innocent Ophelia as an outlet for his disgust towards the queen, and cannot comprehend that his own vicious words have caused her insanity. "Hamlet is one of Shakespeare's four most important tragedies - the other being Macbeth, King Lear and Othello.

The way Shakespeare handles the character of the protagonist of the play is unique in every aspect. The notes study guide on Hamlet notes: "Hamlet endures as the object of universal identification because his central moral dilemma transcends the Elizabethan period, making him a man for all ages. In his difficult struggle to somehow act within a corrupt world and yet maintain his moral integrity, Hamlet ultimately reflects the fate of all human beings." This projection of "fate of all human being" is probably the most important aspect of the character of Hamlet and must be kept in mind while writing personal reaction on the character of Hamlet" (Suman1983).

Hamlet is full of faults. But how is it that even seemingly negative qualities such as indecisiveness, hastiness, hate, brutality, and...