Hamlet

Shakespeare’s Hamlet has been recognised for 400 years and is a text that will continue to be recognized for many years to come. ‘Hamlet’ the play drew the attention of the old and young to its universal themes and its story of the downfall of a tragic hero. The factor that deviated Hamlet from other texts and allowed for its strong stance is that it remained opened for a range of interpretations. It allowed responders to each implement their personal contexts and values to provide a different, valid perspective on the text. Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a play which applies all the conventions of revenge tragedy along with vivid figurative language to convey a much deeper understanding of humanity. All the action in the play revolves around a central theme which, I believe, is the corruption of individuals caused by their isolation from themselves, from others and their surrounding world. In his stage production and through the use of stage craft, James Lugton, represents a varying interpretation of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”. His interpretation revolves around the theme of ‘thought prevents action’. The isolation of individuals from their true self prevents them from exploring their frail inner selves and from coming into terms with their worthlessness. All humans are disguised under pretence masks they constantly wear to conceal their inner weaknesses and corruption from others. As a result this leads to the corruption of the human spirit and the moral downfall of every individual. No individual in Shakespeare’s play ‘Hamlet’ is strong enough to explore their ‘blackened furnished room’ and expose their internal corruption to transcend their weaknesses and develop. Instead whenever an individual attempts to explore their true conscience they are appalled with their weakness and corruption and hence become occupied by a hesitation which prevents them from taking any action. This is seen in the nature of Hamlet. The second soliloquy in the play ‘Hamlet’ reflects Hamlets attempt to explore his inner self. It begins with ‘Now I am alone’. Hamlet is now away from those he is constantly trying to deceive and feels safe about removing the many masks he wears. When Hamlet develops the courage and begins to explore his true identity he is exposed to his worthlessness and corruption ‘O what a rouge and peasant slave I am!’. Just prior to this soliloquy, when Hamlet was amongst other people, he adapted his role as a superior “Lord” and a prince whose word is followed. However, when Hamlet removes this mask he is no more than any other slave under his command. Hamlet does remove his mask in order to explore what lies beneath it however his isolation from himself prevents him from being truthful in this act and from progressing or benefiting from it. Instead it leads him to enter into greater hesitation and instability. In this soliloquy Hamlet refers to ‘the motive and the cue of passion’ he has, making it seem to the responder that his ‘motive’ is to avenge his father. However, when the responder is exposed to the action that occurs in Gertrude’s private room they realise that they are deceived and that Hamlet is too frail to ever expose his true inner self. Hamlet never intended to kill Claudius but wanted to retain his mother for himself. This is understood through the use of the ‘precious diadem’ as a symbol of Gertrude. Hamlet informed the responder prior going to Gertrude’s room that “[his] tongue and soul in this [will] be hypocrites”, i.e. inferring that his speech with Gertrude will not reflect the truth within him. Through this Hamlet intends to deceive the responder in order to conceal his inner self and true aims. However, when Hamlet uses the ‘precious diadem’ as a symbol for his mother and mentions that he believes that Claudius stole the ‘precious diadem’ and ‘put it in his pocket’ the responder to forced to question from where was Gertrude stolen. Hence, the responder realises that Gertrude was not stolen from old Hamlet, as he is now dead, but from Hamlet himself. The world ‘stole’ in this context means that Hamlet feels that Claudius took one of Hamlet’s possessions and deprived him of it. Hamlet’s real ‘motive’ is also seen when he says “Mother you have my father much offended”. Both Hamlet and the responder are aware that the Ghost is concerned about the ‘the foul and most unnatural murder’ Claudius committed and not entirely on his “incestuous, adulterate” behaviour. Hence Hamlet here is suggesting that his mother offended him and not his dead father who now lies under the ground. In addition towards the end of the play when Hamlet finally takes the action and kills Claudius his act was not done to avenge his father but to take revenge for his mother who was killed by Claudius’s “foul practice”. Therefore, it becomes clear, that Hamlet lived a fraud life and suffered a moral dilemma which led to his downfall due to his isolation from himself. On the other hand, in James Lugton’s stage production of Hamlet, Hamlet is represented as a noble individual with a high moral nature however his thoughts prevent him from becoming a hero. In the second soliloquy when Hamlet refers to the “remorseless, kindless villain” his stage position and movement reflect that he is ready and strong enough to kill Claudius. In this soliloquy Hamlet is alone on stage and is moving his musical instrument while imagining it was a sword which kills Claudius and ends his prolonged moral dilemma. Hamlet here is able to act and perform the revenge he was inquired to perform. However, when Hamlet is placed in the real situation while Claudius is front of him and he is holding a real sword his thoughts prevent his action and lead to his procrastination. In this interpretation Hamlet is inclined to kill Claudius Since everyone hides and conceals their inner self then no ones appearance is the reality and we are always uncertain. “My most seeming virtuous women” (pg. 47) The intellect of individuals which when used leads to procrastination and when not used leads to the wrong acts. (2) All individuals acts are generated from a self centered spirit which makes the entire society an evil, cold place were individuals have to each play their own ‘foul game’ to survive and be the fittest. As a result this develops an isolated, corrupt society lacking basic principles such as loyalty. The depletion of loyalty in the human character will lead every individual to harm their loved ones in order to keep themselves concealed and protected when faced with a situation which may pose a threat to their status or life. Every actor in ‘Hamlet’ lacks loyalty in their character. This is see with friends and Hamlet, Hamlet and Gertrude, “I must be cruel to be kind” Consequently this will wipe vital principles such as loyalty in human character and hence lead to the corruption of humanity. - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern- - Hamlet and Ophelia- it becomes clear to the responder that there is a connection between Hamlet’s view about himself and his world. If Hamlet feels worthless and corrupt then to him all the “uses of the world will seem unprofitable”. However if he is satisfied with his inner self then he will see the “unweeded garden” as a rosy one free from corruption. During the entire play