commitment to the self

A detailed Summary of commitment to the self

In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, the protagonist, Hamlet, exhibits a puzzling,

deceitful nature. Hamlet contradicts himself throughout the play. He endorses both the

virtues of acting a role and that of being true to one's self. He further supports both of

these conflicting endorsements with his actions. This contradiction is demonstrated by his

alleged madness, for he does behave madly, only to become perfectly calm and rational an

instant later. These inconsistencies are related with the internal dilemmas he faces. He

struggles with the issue of revenging his father's death-vowing to kill Claudius and then

backing out, several times because his personal feelings get involved. Upon this point

Hamlet stammers through the play. The reason for this teetering is directly related to his

inability to form a solid opinion about role playing. If Hamlet were to stay committed to

one character, true or false, and not become so wrapped up in his own opinions and

guilt, perhaps the ending of the play would have worked as planned and justice would

have been served to the right people, not the innocent.

In the first act, Hamlet appears to be very straightforward in his actions and inner

state. When questioned by Gertrude about his low-sp

One of the most perfect times to commit his vengeance is when Claudius is praying

no reason to doubt it. In the next act, however, Hamlet's presence and situation suddenly,

perhaps a Heaven, as opposed to a Hell, like Hamlet's dead father.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern "I know not-lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of

more marriages. Those that are married already-all but one-shall live"(3.1.). The "one"

"accidentally" hit him with a poisoned, unbated foil tip, and give him poisoned wine, he

her father, goes mad and dies as a result. The King could not cover up his guilt, so Hamlet

exercise" (2.2.). Later he tells them that he is just feigning madness when he says, "I am

not have a conflict. This shows that he is not consistent within himself. Yet, when Hamlet

Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause, Which is not tomb enough and Those soldiers

After condemning his own beliefs, he is now condemning role playing. Being

therefor he wasn't truly forgiven which means Hamlet's own conscious convinced him out

(2.2.). Admitting so blatantly that he is only feigning madness would imply that he is

Upon the issue of Ophelia's beauty, Hamlet says, "That if you be honest and fair, your

Approximate Word count = 1891
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous

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