Hamlet
Essay
Addyson
Miklos
Ms.
Wilson
AP
Literature
14
November 2013
In
a novel by William Styron, a father tells his son that life “is a search for
justice.” Choose a character from a novel or play who responds in some
significant way to justice or injustice. Then write a well-developed essay in
which you analyze the character’s understanding of justice, the degree to which
the character’s search to justice is successful, and the significance of this
search for the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.
I
have read and understand the sections in the Student Handbook regarding Mason
High School's Honesty/Cheating Policy. By affixing this statement to the title
page of my paper, I am certifying that I have not cheated or plagiarized in the
process of completing this assignment. If it is found that cheating and/or
plagiarism did take place in the writing of this paper, I understand the
possible consequences of the act, which could include a "0" on the
paper, as well as an "F" as a final grade in the course.
Addyson Miklos
Ms. Wilson
AP Literature
14 November 2013
Hamlet Essay
All heroes earn their titles by doing one thing—ensuring justice.
If there is a villain creating chaos, it is a heroes’ duty to remove that villain
from power. In Hamlet, William Shakespeare
creates a tragic hero who seeks out justice on Claudius, his uncle and his father’s
murderer. Throughout his several soliloquys, Hamlet proves himself to be a hero;
at first he cannot decide if murdering Claudius is its own injustice, then he
assumes he is God’s instrument as a server of justice and therefore morally
sound in his decision. He kills Claudius in order to achieve justice, which
leads to his tragic but heroic death.
Hamlet’s first soliloquy is significant as it relates to
his eventual heroism. Loyalty is a trait that Hamlet, like all heroes, carries;
though his uncle has usurped the royal throne as king of Denmark, Hamlet remains
faithful to his father, King Hamlet, by referring to him as “So excellent a
king, that was to this Hyperion to a satyr.” (1.2.140-141). This line
introduces Hamlet as not simply loyal to his father, but that he idolizes his father;
he views him as a god. In juxtaposition, Hamlet compares Claudius to a half-man,
half-animal creature, insinuating that Claudius is barely a man. This view into
Hamlet’s real feelings towards Claudius is important in that he lacks respect
for Claudius even before he is aware of his uncle’s sinister actions.
During Hamlet’s famous “To Be Or Not To Be” speech, he has
already promised his father’s spirit that he would avenge him. He has thrown on
a disguise of craziness to work up to killing Claudius, which would serve justice
for Denmark by ridding this poisonous king. However, he is morally conflicted,
which is apparent when he says, “in that sleep of death what dreams may come/When
we have shuffled off this mortal coil,/ Must give us pause.” (3.1.67-69). If he
kills Claudius, he has committed a mortal sin, and will spend his afterlife in
hell; if he commits suicide, he will have the same fate. His fear of what is
moral and immoral gives him “pause.” However, at the end of his speech, Hamlet
comes to the conclusion that “conscience does make cowards of us all,” (3.1.84)
which leads him to believe “with this regard their currents turn awry,/And lose
the name of action.” (3.1.88-89). Over thinking, he realizes, is a hindrance in
life, and the pause it creates means that rightful actions are not always
carried out. It is in this speech when he has made his final decision to seek
justice and murder Claudius.
Horatio secretly meets Hamlet in a graveyard before the climactic
battle scene between Laertes and Hamlet takes place. Horatio is curious as to
how Hamlet escaped his supposed death sentence. Hamlet reveals that “Without
debatement further, more or less,/He should the bearers put to sudden
death,/Not shriving-time allowed.” (5.1.45-47). He exchanged the letter
Claudius sent, and using his wit he arranged the murders of Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern in his place. It seems like this should be a moral crime, but
Hamlet believes that “heaven” was “ordinant” (5.1.48) in this plan, (considering
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were spies, therefore immoral) and he was justified
in his actions. Since he believes God helped him to see the letter and bring
the Danish seal, he believes he is God’s instrument of justice, and next is
Claudius. There is a tone-shift in this speech from the previous acts; Hamlet
was fearful of sinning, but now he is confident in his words and actions, fully
aware that he is dutifully carrying out justice.
Before his duel with Laertes, Hamlet apologizes for
killing his father. He excuses his behavior by telling Laertes, “I proclaim I
was in madness.” (5.2.196). Hamlet faked his craziness, but he is trying to
mend bridges with Laertes. Though Hamlet’s madness was a rouse, he is still
justified in killing Polonius because he was a “wretched, rash, intruding fool”
(3.4.31). The quick pacing of the words in this line expresses Hamlet’s raw
rage at such a dishonorable act, an act that deserved justice. Throughout the
duel, all prominent characters (excluding Horatio) become poisoned.
As
Hamlet lies dying, he tells Horatio, “Absent thee from felicity a while,/And in
this harsh world draw thy breath in pain/To tell my story.” (5.2.345-347). The
battle was a victory for Hamlet, so much that his dying wish is that Horatio
tells his story. Hamlet dies a heroic death, fighting to avenge his father and
to rescue Denmark from the undeserving and selfish Claudius. Hamlet achieves
justice by defeating a true villain, and died with heroic honor.
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