Monday, October 21, 2019
Denmark, Incest, and Uncertainty in Hamlet
Denmark, Incest, and Uncertainty in Hamlet Shakespeares tragedyà Hamlet has a number ofà major themes, such asà deathà andà revenge, but the play also includes sub-themes, such as the state of Denmark, incest, and uncertainty. With this review, you can better understand the dramas wide range of issues and what they reveal about the characters. The State of Denmark The political and social condition of Denmark is referred to throughout the play, and the ghost is an embodiment of Denmarkââ¬â¢s growing social unrest. This is because the bloodline of the monarchy has been unnaturally disrupted by Claudius, an immoral and power-hungry king. When the play was written, Queen Elizabeth was 60, and there was concern about who would inherit the throne. Mary Queen of Scotsââ¬â¢ son was an heir but would potentially ignite political tensions between Britain and Scotland. Therefore, the state of Denmark in Hamlet could be a reflection of Britainââ¬â¢s own unrest and political problems. Sexuality and Incest in Hamlet Gertrudeââ¬â¢s incestuous relationship with her brother-in-law plagues Hamlet more thanà his fatherââ¬â¢s death. In Act 3, Scene 4, he accuses his mother of living ââ¬Å"In the rank sweat of an enseamed bed, / Stewed in corruption, honeying and making love / Over the nasty sty.â⬠Gertrudes actionsà destroy Hamletââ¬â¢s faith in women, which is perhaps why his feelings toward Ophelia become ambivalent. Yet, Hamlet is not so angered by his uncleââ¬â¢s incestuous behavior. To be clear, incest typically refers to sexual relations between close blood relatives, so while Gertrude and Claudius are related, their romantic relationship does not actually constitute incest. That said, Hamlet disproportionately blames Gertrude for her sexual relationship with Claudius, while overlooking his uncles role in the relationship. Perhaps the reason for this is a combination of womenââ¬â¢s passive role in society and Hamletââ¬â¢s overpowering (maybe even borderline incestuous) passion for his mother. Opheliaââ¬â¢s sexuality is also controlled by the men in her life. Laertes and Polonius are overbearing guardians and insist that she rejects Hamletââ¬â¢s advances, despite her love for him. Clearly, theres a double standard for women where sexuality is concerned. Uncertainty In Hamlet, Shakespeare uses uncertainty more like a dramatic device than a theme. The uncertainties of the unfolding plot are what drive the actions of each character and keep the audience engaged. From the very beginning of the play, the ghost poses a great deal of uncertainty for Hamlet. He (and the audience) are uncertain about the ghostââ¬â¢s purpose. For instance, is it a sign of Denmarkââ¬â¢s socio-political instability, a manifestation of Hamletââ¬â¢s own conscience, an evil spirit provoking him to murder or his fatherââ¬â¢s spirit unable to rest? Hamletââ¬â¢s uncertainty delays him from taking action, whichà ultimately leads to the unnecessary deaths of Polonius, Laertes, Ophelia, Gertrude, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern. Even at the end of the play, the audience isà left with a feeling of uncertainty when Hamlet bequeaths the throne to the rash and violent Fortinbras. In the closing moments of the drama, Denmarkââ¬â¢s future looks less certain than it did at the beginning. In this way, the play echoes life.
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