Hamlet the central dilemma

A detailed Summary of Hamlet the central dilemma


"The central dilemma in Hamlet is the character and life's journey of a man whose mind is in paralysis.

To what extent is this an adequate summary of Hamlet?"

Hamlet certainly is a play with complex themes and issues. As we read through the rich script we uncover many dilemmas and issues that have great bearing on the direction of the play, and the consequences of the character's actions.

One such character is, of course, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. It is around this man that the play revolves, and his thoughts and actions are closely followed and developed as the play progresses. It has been said that the central dilemma of the play is that Hamlet's mind is in paralysis, meaning simply that he is incapable of action, his mind incapable of derivative thought.

While this is extremely important for the play, the reason that this occurs can clearly be seen as a more important part of the play. All the other themes contribute to the task of making Hamlet appear paralysed in thought and action. He is not however a man without motive for his apparent indecision, and eventual action.

However what does appear to be the central theme in Hamlet is the revenge tragedy dilemma. This central issue is the seed that


May be a de'il, and the de'il hath power

The common theme of the revenge tragedy is the thread that joins the other themes and issues together, creating a whole story, rather than a collection of issues. Henceforth it can be said that the revenge of Hamlet's father is the central dilemma in Hamlet. "The character and life's journey of a man whose mind is in paralysis" is merely another facet, although an important one, of this overall situation. For this reason this statement is not an adequate summary of Hamlet. It describes only one part of a much more complex situation, revolving partially around a central theme of revenge tragedy.

With juice of cursed hebona in a vial,

Many of the events that transpire in Hamlet seem largely to be propelled by chance, for instance the discovery of the letter carried by Rosencrantz and Gildenstern that warranted his death, or Hamlet's killing of Polonius. Following the death of his father, Hamlet finds himself questioning the meaning of his life, and whether there is anything really worth living for.



Some common words found in the essay are:
II Scene, Laertes Fortinbras, King Denmark, Prince Denmark, King Hamlet, Rosencrantz Gildenstern, Hamlet Polonius', Besides Hamlet, Claudius Hamlet, King Hamlet's, scene 2, revenge tragedy, ii scene, king hamlet, ii scene 2, -act scene, theme revenge tragedy, act ii, hamlet's father, theme revenge, rosencrantz gildenstern, manipulation power, act ii scene, spread evil denmark, ghost's true motives,

Approximate Word count 1789
Approximate Pages 7 250 words per page double spaced

Category: English

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