Alienation in Hamlet Essay - 745 Words

Alienation in Hamlet In Hamlet, Shakespeare depicts alienation among the younger characters. Trusting no one, Claudius, the new king, and Polonius send out spies to obtain information from others to assure Claudiuss rule of Denmark runs smoothly. Claudius killed Old Hamlet for the rule of Denmark and he fears that Hamlet might know of the murder. Both Claudius and Polonius spy on Hamlet to find out if he knows of the murder. Polonius sends his daughter, Ophelia, out to also gain information. Hamlet begins going mad and people claim that the cause is from the death of his father. Truly, though, Hamlet knows of the murder. But Claudius and Polonius are not the only ones, Gertrude, the queen, blames Ophelia for Hamlets madness.†¦show more content†¦Having no parents to talk to about his problems, only aggravates the situation. Critic Paul Canter writes, The fundamental fact in Hamlet is the heros (Hamlets) inability to cope with the ambivalence of his feelings towards his parents (24). This suggest s that Hamlet could not talk to his mother, Claudius, Polonius, or Ophelia about his plot to kill Claudius. Furthermore, Hamlet feels that Denmarks a prison (Shakespeare 112) and he can speak to no one, as if he were a prisoner. Not having the allowance of talking to others for help constricts the feelings and problems inside. Without the freedom of acting how he wishes only causes prolonging the plot of murdering Claudius. Ophelia experiences alienation throughout Hamlet, although she ends her life with suicide, unlike Hamlet. The queen places blame on Ophelia for Hamlets madness and states: ...for your part, Ophelia, I do wish that your good beauties be the happy cause for Hamlets madness... (Shakespeare 140). The queen lightens her feelings of guilt for the murder and places the guilt upon Ophelia. Gertrude, the queen, knows that she has committed something wrong with the plot of killing Old Hamlet and therefore finds an outlet through Ophelia. Also, to try to discover Hamlets cause of insanity, Claudius and Polonius use Ophelia to get closer to him and find out that perhaps they could conclude that hisShow MoreRelatedHamlet is encumbered with securing retribution on his murdered father’s behalf from the King of1400 Words   |  6 Pages Hamlet is encumbered with securing retribution on his murdered father’s behalf from the King of Denmark, Claudius. In an effort to murder Claudius, Ha mlet risks alienation occurring within multiple psychological parallels. The variants of indifference that risk Hamlet’s psychological sense of identity are his religion, his morals, his compatriots, his mother, and alienation from women. Hamlet feels self-actualized from following religious principles of living. It is seen by Hamlet’s refusal toRead MoreAnalysis of Colson Whiteheads John Henry Days1515 Words   |  6 Pagesnovel because of its cynical tone, its confluence of imagery, and its treatment of social and existential alienation. I. 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