Before beginning Hamlet’s tragic story, as expertly written by William Shakespeare, a few questions arise. What will lead our hero to his untimely demise? What possible course of actions and events can only logically conclude with the death of the one character whose eyes and words have narrated this tale for us? I believe that, using the specific instances in this particular play, Shakespeare was trying to make a point on how sometimes, great men must rise up to prove their worth, and perhaps set the wrong in the world right. Shakespeare portrayed Hamlet n

Hamlet’s father has perished, and his ghost is haunting the grounds, armed as if seeking revenge. His mother Gertrude, the queen, has remarried almost immediately. It is insinuated during the play that Hamlet had a special kind of love for his mother. To see his mother marry another was disheartening, and to see her marry Claudius, his uncle and dead father’s brother so quickly was heartbreaking. As a result of the wedding, Hamlet’s power as prince and rightful claim to the throne were usurped by Claudius.

The grief from Hamlets loss alone is enough to cause a mental breakdown. The idea of his dead father’s accusations is haunting him, along with his grief; make his actions from this point forward construed by others as a mental faltering. Gertrude and Claudius consent that Hamlet is possibly losing his mind, and at first, Claudius chides Hamlet for his “unmanly grief” concerning his father. Claudius soon spies on Hamlet to see how rash his actions have become. Hamlet, although a hero, is continuously displaying his human characteristics through out this play. Just like anyone else, mourns his losses, questions his sanity, copes with betrayal, love and allows his emotions consume him.

It should be noted, before beginning to look at the timeline of Hamlet’s life the ending of the play is not the only structure we fall into upon reading. The play begins with two characters, guards at the gate. It is a dark night, and they approach each other warily. “who is there?” is the first line we see, followed by “Nay, answer me. Stand and unfold yourself!” Here we have an already suspicious tone set, an idea subtly placed in our heads that perhaps people are not what they seem, and that foul happenings are afoot which require such caution. This suspicion we are thrown into will blossom throughout the play, as our hero is never quite sure what to believe. There are many things that Hamlet goes through in this play that lead to its final, fatal scene. I suppose the experiences that lead to this started just before the play starts, information we are given within the dialogue of the opening scenes.

On top of everything going on, Hamlet has an even greater problem, one he doesn’t even recognize. At the end of the play, Laertes has returned, ironically enough to avenge his own father’s death. Laertes has joined in league with Claudius to bring Hamlet down.

Some topics in this essay:
William Shakespeare, Rosencrantz Guildenstern, Polonius Claudius, Laertes Gertrude, Gertrude Claudius, Claudius Gertrude, Horatio Shakespeare’s, Prince Denmark”, Hamlet Hamlet, Hamlet Ophelia’s, lead final, rosencrantz guildenstern, scene hamlet, hamlet’s father, final scene, nonsensical songs, actions events, hamlet hero, throughout play, hamlet’s power,