Hamlet Character Sketch

HAMLET - Scorpio

Obsessive and Compulsive

Hamlet is obsessed with death. In the beginning of the play, we can see his obsession with death. Despite the fact that even his friends were afraid of the ghost, Hamlet decides to speak to the ghost and then follows the ghost when it calls to him. Hamlet hesitates only once in the line: “Angels and ministers of grace defend us” Act I, Scene IV. But even that cannot be seen as a sign of being afraid since Hamlet fearlessly talked to the ghost and then followed it – something no man would do in his right mind. In the famous soliloquy of Act III scene I, Hamlet professes his suicidal thoughts with "To be, or not to be..." and so forth. He mentions death and 'sleep' again and again throughout this soliloquy. In Act IV, Scene III, we see that Hamlet is mentally disturbed. Hamlet explains death in the most morbid and disturbing way possible. He says that we are all destined for death, to be eaten by maggots. Your worm is the only emperor of your diet. Meaning you are eating someone else’s death body because the worms broke down that dead body and how you will just fatten yourself up for the worms.

In Act III scene IV of Hamlet, Hamlet storms into Gertrude's chamber and proclaims that she has offended his father (dead King Hamlet) by marrying Claudius. Using force and violence Hamlet tells her of his intent to never let her forget her sin. She cries out in fear of her life. This results in Polonius calling out from behind the curtains. Hamlet suspects this is Claudius and draws his sword and killing Polonius without even seeing him. “How now! a rat?” (III.iv.22) in this phrase Hamlet automatically assumes it is Claudius. “Nay, I know not: / Is it the king?” (III.iv.24). The queen says his action was a “rash and bloody” deed, and Hamlet replies that it was almost as rash and bloody as murdering a king and marrying his brother (III.iv.26–28).

Hamlet talks like, a lot. Throughout the play he openly feels his feelings and thoughts in numerous soliloquy's, displays affection, calls upon experience and deals with other primarily through his extensive language. Using words, Hamlet is able to protect himself from others and keep him sane from the harsh real world. Not to mention, his constant rambling is a great tool for procrastinating.

Secretive and Obstinate

Wavering

Note: Shakespeare cleverly uses Fortinbras as Hamlet's character foil in order to emphasize his wavering character by making Fortinbras a man of action. Unlike Hamlet he directly chooses a path with confidence and follows it. This is a stark contrast to Hamlets character and further proves its effect on the play.

Emotional

Quick Tempered

Evidence

(what it matters)

Both examples combined have been analyzed critcally for many years. Hamlet again and again lashes out at the woman in his life in violent, hatefilled ways. Hamlets character is not only hot headed, over reacting at the slightest displeasure, but is also a masaginist. The manner in which he treats his mother and girlfriend are horrific and disgusting. Hamelt's character trait of being quick tempered and easily flustered most often occurs around woman, meaning his tolerance for their action are much lower than that of a man. Not only is he harsh with his words, he also physically rough houses Gertrude and Ophelia throughout the play.

When analysed alone, the second example is interpreted different and has a major impact on hamlets character and the plot of the play. Not only does this move the plot forward by Gertrude finally understanding the reason behind Hamlets actions, we devolope a further understanding of Hamlets character and how much his father meant to him as well as his parents being together. Hamlet greatly resents his mother for her marriage to Claudius as well as her lack of respect for Hamlet since he is her son and should have been comsidered or consulted prior to such a important decision and engagement.

Proof

(what it says)

Evidence

(what it matters)

When Hamlet and Ophelia meet, he is quickly angered because of his bad and violent temper.

"You jig, you amble, and you lisp; you nickname God's creatures and make your wantonness your ignorance. Go to, I'll no more on't! it hath made me mad. " Hamlet is upset that she acts in her own self interest and insults him by acting arrogantly on purpose.

The second scene where Hamlet acts quick tempered is immediately after he kills Polonius in Gertrude's chamber (which in itself is a hot headed and unproccessed act). He shouts at his mother: "Here is your husband, like a mildewed ear Blasting his wholesome brother.

Have you eyes? Could you on this fair mountain leave to feed, And batten on this moor? Ha! have you eyes?"

Hamlet id telling his mother that her new husband is nothing like the late King Hamlet. How dare she leave him and marry so quicky after his death without simple consideration for Hamelt or his deceased father.

These example are extremely important to Hamlet's character and the play. This emotional characteristics found in Hamlet are what motivate him to seek revenge for his father's death. His emotions are what lead him to act in such irrational and extreme manners. The play would not happen had Hamlet been unemotional and detached. His emotional behavior are what keep the action and plot lively, keeping the story moving forward.

Quick-tempered

Quickly aroused to anger; hot headed

Easily angered

Quarrelsome

Traits

Proof

(what it says)

Hamlet is a very emotional character. King Hamlet's death was very shocking and disturbing for Hamlet. He could not get over his death despite Claudius' numerous attempts of convincing Hamlet that death is natural and a part of life.

"To give these mourning duties to your father;

But you must know, your father lost a father;

That father lost his, and the survivor bound

In filial obligation for some term to do obsequious sorrow."

In this line, Claudius is attempting to reconcile Hamlet and his fathers passing because Hamlets grieving is far to extreme and to get over

Another example of how Hamlet is a very emotional character is when he is reminiscing his fathers death and says: .How stand I then,/That have father killed, a mother stained,...2". Basically asking himself what kind of person he is to allow his mother to remarry so swiftly following his father's murder. He is pitying himself

Emotional

Easily affected by emotion

Shows and reveals his emotions openly to others

Emotion over powers reason

Explanation

(what it matters)

Explanation

(what it matters)

Despite the substantial evidence proving his uncles murder of King Hamlet, Hamlet remains obsessed with proving that it was him who killed the King. The idea of “beyond a reasonable doubt” is simply unacceptable to him. He is equally plagued with questions about the afterlife, about the wisdom of suicide, about what happens to bodies after they die— and so forth.

Hamlet's secretiveness is one of the major foundations of the entire play. Without his secretive tendencies, there would be no play. Hamlet would have taken confidence in another character or two and a completely different series of events would have taken place. Secrecy is what leads to Hamlet's unique character. His actions and inaction's stem from this character trait of his. Secrets are most often found in highly esteemed works of literature. They develop the story and drama within it, keeping the audience interested in the play and its characters.

Even though he is thoughtful to the point of obsession, Hamlet also behaves rashly and impulsively. When he does act, it is with surprising swiftness and little or no thought as when he stabs Polonius through a curtain without even checking to see who he is. Like a madman he acts very fittingly, taking erratic actions without regard for other characters.

Evidence

(what it matters)

Hamlets consistent wavering character drags the play on and on. Because of his inaction and procrastination multiple times throughout the play, Hamlet fails to complete his deceased fathers wish until the end of the play. Hamlet goes so far in his procrastinating ways that he ends up putting on a play just to see the reaction of Claudius, despite recurring evidence of his guilt. This affects other characters in the play, especially the ghost of King Hamlet. Following the scene in which Hamlet murders Polonius in Gertrude's chamber, the ghost reappears and reminds Hamlet of his task at hand. He basically scolds him for his actions and tells him to refocus his efforts on Claudius. This is crucial in the play as it leads to a new series of events in Hamlet's life.

Proof

(what it says)

The entire play is based around Hamlet's encounter with the ghost and his secret knowledge that it was Claudius who killed King Hamlet. Hamlet hatches numerous plots to prove Claudius' guilt. For example in Act III, scene ii Hamlet tells the actors how to act in the play so they may reenact King Hamlet's murder. This way he could observe Claudius' reaction to verify that he is indeed guilty.

When Hamlet travels to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, he discovers the letters which order his immediate death. Without anyone's knowledge, he changes the letter so it is actually the two who are to be put to death, not Hamlet. Following this, he sends word to Norway that he is returning, giving no details whatsoever as to the events that transpired on the journey.

Proof

(what it says)

Hamlet greatly delays the revenge of his fathers death time and time again throughout the play. Hamlet is given the perfect opportunity to kill Claudius in Act III Scene III, but he feels that Claudius is not in an appropriate state for his death. Claudius seems to be praying for forgiveness when Hamlet finds this opportunity, and Hamlet feels that if he murdered him during prayer, he would dishonor his father by sending Claudius to heaven. Hamlet says, “A villain kills my father, and for that,/ I, his sole son, do this same villain send/ To heaven. He lacks focus on the primary goal presented to him by his father’s spirit and tends to over think, showing a weakness in Hamlet.

Wavering

Become unsteady or unreliable

Fail to act in a manner because of doubt

Obsessive

Someone who's mind is continuously preoccupied with a thought or idea

Compulsive

Secretive

Acts against conscious wishes as a result of an urge

Urged to hide feelings, details or information from others

Obstinate

Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or action, despite attempts of persuasion