The Existentialist Views of Hamlet Essay - 756 Words

The Existentialist Views of Hamlet Do we matter? Will anything we do endure? These are questions from existentialism. The dictionary defines existentialism as the plight of the individual who must assume ultimate responsibility for his acts of free will without any certain knowledge of what is right or wrong or good or bad (Merriam Webster). In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Hamlet struggles with the concept that nothing from our lives last and time grinds everything away. Hamlets major conflict was his existentialist view of the world. Does a prince of Denmark have any worth if Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth into dust; the dust is earth; of earth we make loam; and why of that†¦show more content†¦Even with this proof, Hamlet will not kill Claudius during prayer because he believes his decision will matter and he must choose wisely. In the graveyard, Hamlet saw peoples skulls and wondered what the couriers compliments or the jesters tricks had brought them but another spot in the earth. Hamlet saw the acts of well respected men not protect them from the grave and anonymity when he said, This fellow might be ins time a great buyer of land, with his statutes his recognizances, his fines, his double vouchers, his recoveries: is this the fine of his fines, and the recovery of his recoveries, to have his fine pate full of fine dirt? will his vouchers vouch him no more of his purchases, and double ones too, than the length and breadth of a pair of indentures? The very conveyances of his lands will hardly lie in this box; and must the inheritor himself have no more ( V. i. 98-103). Hamlets inaction appeared in his relationship with Ophelia. He admitted at her grave that he loved her but he did not attempt to have more than a physical relationship. Hamlets fear of action led to other problems. Hamlet was so obsessed with his lack of action and the worthlessness of life that he contemplates suicide asking, For who could bear the whips and scorns of time ( III. i. 69-70). He believes he would be foolish to suffer through his life when he will simply beShow MoreRelatedEssay on Existentialism in Unknown Places1409 Words   |  6 Pagescertain characteristics and behaviors that describe existentialist views. Throughout today’s world, there are examples of it everywhere, it’s found in movies, books, songs, and just people in general. Existentialists are known to think and do for themselves only. They believe that to understand what it means to be human requires understanding of themselves first. Some very well known pieces of entertainment existentialism is found in are: Hamlet by William Shakespeare, The Metamorphosis by Franz KafkaRead More Hamlet, the Existentialist Essay1082 Words   |  5 PagesShakespeare’s Hamlet is a tragic play about murder, betra yal, revenge, madness, and moral corruption. It touches upon philosophical ideas such as existentialism and relativism. Prince Hamlet frequently questions the meaning of life and the degrading of morals as he agonizes over his father’s murder, his mother’s incestuous infidelity, and what he should or shouldn’t do about it. At first, he is just depressed; still mourning the loss of his father as his mother marries his uncle. After he learnsRead MoreThe Relationship Between Ophelia and Hamlet: William Shakespeare970 Words   |  4 PagesThe play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, looks at the issue of madness and how it effects the characters of the play. 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In this contextRead MoreComparision Of Hamlet With Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead1306 Words   |  6 PagesRosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (R and G†¦) by Tom Stoppard is a transformation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet that has been greatly influenced due to an external contextual shift. The sixteenth century Elizabethan historical and social context, accentuating a time of questioning had specific values which are transformed and altered in Stoppard’s Existential, post two-world wars twentieth century historical and social context. The pro cesses of transformation that are evident allow the shifts in ideasRead MoreThe, No Scene Of Violence Exists For Its Own Sake1350 Words   |  6 Pagesand action. Hamlet is as much a story of emotional conflict, paranoia, and self-doubt as it is one of revenge and tragedy. The protagonist, Prince Hamlet of Denmark, is instructed by his slain father’s ghost to enact vengeance upon his uncle Claudius, whose treacherous murder of Hamlet’s father gave way to his rise to power. Overcome by anguish and obligation to avenge his father’s death, Hamlet ultimately commits a number of killings throughout the story. However, we are not to view the characterRead MoreCharacteristics Of A Shakespearean Tragedy1716 Words   |  7 Pages Characteristics of a Shakespearean tragedy: (Identify three and give an example/connection from Hamlet and a short explanation of the importance) 1. A central character who has status and prosperity A defining characteristic of Shakespearean tragedies is a powerful and high ranking protagonist. Hamlet fits this bill perfectly, being the crown prince of the kingdom of Denmark and thus wielding enormous power. One of the reasons why protagonists of Shakespearean tragedies are characters of status