Throughout Hamlet, loyalty appears to be a major theme in order to encounter betrayal to others in whom those characters are less loyal to. This entire theme is brought into the play to make Hamlet's decisions and outcomes of those decisions more difficult to come to a close. Each character in the play may appear to be more loyal to one character or another. Choose a character and write about who you believe they remain most loyal to, and why. Please use supporting evidence in your answer. If you would like to throw in a twist you may also say whom that character betrayed. The prompt is not too difficult, but be sure to support your opinion with concrete evidence.
Loyalty is a major theme in William Shakespeare's "Hamlet". Throughout the novel, there are clear loyalties between the characters that greatly impact their actions. Hamlet is obviously loyal to his father which causes him to seek revenge for his father by plotting to kill Claudius. However, one the less obvious loyalties in the play that adds to the motivation of Hamlet to kill Claudius is Gertrude's loyalty to her new husband Claudius. This adds to the motivation of Hamlet to kill Claudius because of the fact that she betrayed his father and himself in order to keep her claim to the throne. Claudius, who had a claim to the throne, married Gertrude to secure his kingship. This infuriated Hamlet because she willingly and quickly married her brother-in-law, and as Hamlet knows, her husband's murderer. Hamlet greatly disapproves of this action and her change in personality after the marriage from a loving mother, to a mother who is now more concerned with with new found relationship. This makes matters even worse because Gertrude was such a "virtuous queen" while she was married to Hamlet, nothing seemed to be better (1.5). Therefore when she took a turn for the worse by marrying the "wicked" and "incestuous...adulterate beast" and betrayed Hamlet, it impacted Hamlet even more negatively and gave him more motivation to murder Claudius (1.5). Gertrude then became completely loyal her new husband Claudius. It seemed as if she abandoned Hamlet and only cared for herself and Claudius. And since Hamlet knows the truth about Claudius, it sickens him to think about his mother. Also, her loyalty to Claudius prevents her from seeing the truth behind Hamlet's illness. Gertrude knows that his change is a result from the king's death and her "o'erhasty marriage" (2.2). However, she is oblivious, or fails to admit, her wrongdoing by marrying Claudius. This additionally influences Hamlet since Hamlet wants his normal mother back instead of the mother who has greatly changed as a result of the influence of Claudius upon her. And yet, Hamlet is still indecisive over this decision to kill Claudius because he wants to be absolutely sure that Claudius is guilty of his father's death and because of the chance that Gertrude actually does love Claudius. Gertrude's new found loyalty in Claudius and betrayal of Hamlet and his father ultimately helps influence Hamlet to further his plot of murdering Claudius.
ReplyDeleteHamlet is a handful, but Horatio stands by him even after Hamlet dies and comes across as the most loyal character in the play. Horatio is Hamlet's most loyal friend, and because of this Hamlet lets Horatio in on his thoughts and plans. Horatio is the genuinely caring listener attending to his depressed and suicidal friend, all while never showing any sign of annoyance or exasperation at this position. Even Hamlet is aware of how tiresome his emotions can be to others and shows this when he asks, "But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed" (5.2); however Horatio shows that he is willing to listen without contempt with his response: "I beseech you" (5.2). Horatio gives Hamlet the chance to connect his soliloqueys with reality or putting abstract ideas into a more concrete context. In the end, Hamlet entrusts Horatio with telling his story and makes the request: "If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart...tell my story" (5.2). Horatio is not specifically loyal in his direct actions, but it depicted as such because of how Hamlet interacts with him and how much trust he places in him. Horatio is loyal without personal motivation and a proactive character, suggesting that his loyalty is an aspect of his general personality.
ReplyDeleteWhile Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were Hamlet's close friends from the University of Wittenberg, their loyalty to Hamlet is obviously scarce in the play, as they remain loyal to Claudius in his plot to discover the reason behind Hamlet's "madness". Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are increasingly deceptive, as they exchange sexual jokes with Hamlet just as they would have at the university, however, Hamlet is uncannily suspicious of their plot. This suspicion is clearly demonstrated when Hamlet questions Rosencrantz's visit, asking "Were you not sent for? Is it your own inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come, deal justly with me. Come, come. Nay, speak" (II.ii. 261-262). It is ironic that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern remain more loyal to Claudius than Hamlet, especially as Claudius is planning to send Hamlet to England to his death. As nearly everyone in Elsinore castle is against Hamlet, he is constantly having to question his loyalties. This is further emphasized when Hamlet tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, "Call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me, you cannot play upon me" (III.ii.334-336). This quotation shows that Hamlet truly is not mad as he understands the only person he can trust is himself.
ReplyDeleteSometimes in a complex mixture of deception and false loyalty, it is easy to lose sight of the few remaining moral fibers that grace a work. Shakespeare succeeds thoroughly in doing precisely this in Hamlet. Therefore, it is even more ironic to consider that the main character, Hamlet represents a half of, in my opinion, the most loyal, faithful relationship in the play: that of the one that exists between Hamlet and his late father, known as the ghost to the reader. The entire plot unfolds around this constant in the work, as Hamlet would likely not have acted without a go-ahead from “his father.” Granted, the ghost may represent a satanic influence, but proceeding under the former interpretation rather than the latter, we can assume that Hamlet’s loyalties are to his father as he undertakes the murder of his uncle. These ties can be validated, sealed with the resounding promise “Now to my word; It is ‘Adieu, adieu! remember me.’ I have sworn’t” (I. v. 110-112). With this, Hamlet gathers all the injustices he, his father, and his entire family’s crown have suffered and vows to avenge his situation. The dedication does not waver from here on and this cannot be said for many relationships in Hamlet, including those between himself and his closest companions.
ReplyDeleteLoyalties run wild in Shakespeare's Hamlet, between Hamlet and his dead father, Gertrude and her new husband Claudius and many more including Ophelia and Polonius. Ophelia senses Hamlet is becoming affectionate towards her and as much as she would like to... Her brother Polonius makes her promise not to pursue and such relations with Hamlet. Ophelia remains loyal to her brother throughout the play. Polonius states: "...The better to beguile. This is for all:
ReplyDeleteI would not, in plain terms, from this time forth,
Have you so slander any moment leisure,
As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet.
Look to't, I charge you: come your ways.
OPHELIA
I shall obey, my lord."
Ophelia even says to her brother that she will "obey" him.
*REDIRECTION* wow, typing with fake nails is really hard. Shane- holy cow, that was an essay. the female characters on Hamlet are very weak willed and throw their loyalties around easily. Jeff- I really liked how you focused on the loyalties around Hamlet and not just a single character. Brennan- I hadn't considered to whom Hamlet was loyal as a subject. As a new train of thought...
ReplyDeleteAnother strong theme in Hamlet is madness. Two characters in the play go mad. Compare the way Hamlet loses his mind to the way Ophelia does. what were the circumstances surrounding both? Where does Hamlet's madness come from and the same for Ophelia? What does it say about both characters. Not all these questions are necessary, they're just something to consider. I wouldn't say textual evidence is required because this is an internal question. However, some inference and analytical thoughts are important.
Hamlet starts out sane, but gets too into his role as things spin out of his control. While Ophelia not only loses control, she also loses all sense of direction; Hamlet still has his goal of revenge. The madness of Hamlet shows his strength and dedication to his goal, but Ophelia's madness shows her weakness and naivete.
ReplyDeleteOphelia does what others tell her to. She has no personal fortitude, and cedes to others will. Her frailty and weakness let her be easily manipulated and tricked. Her Father is the main manipulator and he tells her what to do without him she's lost and in despair goes mad.
Hamlet sticks to his act no matter who he has to alienate. He is willing to make a fool of himself and suffer through others pity and disgust. His elaborate scheming is his downfall, but he continues on the path he made.
Hamlet goes mad after realizing his uncle, Claudius, killed his father. When the spirit of his father reveals his murderer, Hamlet turns to seek revenge on Claudius, and he only focused on revenge. This obsession caused Hamlet to go mad, soon killing others in his path for revenge. Although his revenge on Claudius back fired, his madness showed how loyal he is to his father with seeking revenge. Hamlet spent so much time trying to kill Claudius that everything else was slipping away. Hamlet really did love Ophelia, but instead he told her she belonged in a nunnery and then killed her father resulting in her death. However, in the end, Hamlet's madness led to his own death as well as many others.
ReplyDeleteOphelia, on the other hand, is the weak, naive daughter of Polonius. Ophelia is very obedient and does or believes whatever anyone seems to tell her. Polonius seems to believe that Hamlet is in love with Ophelia, which he is, but never shows it, and tells Ophelia to stay away from him. Also, Laertes, her brother, notices Hamlet's madness and also thinks she should stay away from him. However, when Polonius is killed by Hamlet, Ophelia drowns herself , which shows her weakness. This shows she couldn;t live without someone controlling her or telling her what to do. She couldn't handle all the madness including her own.
Rachel and Kelsey: You both agreed that Hamlet had become too enthralled with his revenge and that Ophelia was a doll that had no thought of its own.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone proves their loyalty through their actions, it is Laertes. Laertes, the antithesis of the prodigal son, who returns home not to a loving, generous family, but to a shattered, broken one that then fueled his revenge. His loyalty to his father may seem shaky at times, specifically in the beginning of the play, before he leaves for France, but his return says otherwise. When he arrives back home in Denmark, he wastes no time in exacting revenge on the royal family for their involvement in his family's destruction. He rouses a rabble so great that the King is threatened and fearful for his life when he storms into the castle, demanding justice for his father's murder, and his loving sister's descent into madness. This foolhardy, bloodlust-inspired aggression is the only proof one needs to see to prove that Laertes is completely loyal to his father's wishes, even in death. As for his betrayal, it is Hamlet who ultimately feels the sting of his poisoned-tipped blade, in an act of deception that culminates in the final scene's slaughter.
ReplyDeleteThe most loyal of the characters in hamlet is Horatio. Given he is Hamlets comrade, right-hand-man, and confidant; he is the voice of reason as Hamlet grows more unstable. The question of loyalty is also undisputed with Horatio, seeing as he is the last man standing in the bloody ending of revenge in the palace. He is left as the man who is to “let the unknowing world know” and tell the tale of how the “poor hero” Hamlet passed. In Act one scene four, the “voice of reason” comes out in Horatio as he uses foreshadowing to prevent Hamlet into the darkness of madness which plagued the rest of the Palace. The smart thing about Horatio was that he did not betray anybody nor step on any toes, he remained somewhat neutral on the playing field, but still stayed by Hamlet’s side.
ReplyDeleteI know this post is very late, but better late than never. Anyways, there are clearly many different loyalties in Hamlet. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are obviously very loyal to each other; so much so that they remain true until the end. One loyalty that may be easily overlooked is Gertrude’s loyalty to Claudius; a loyalty that enrages Hamlet. However, the loyalty that has the biggest impact on the play is Horatio’s loyalty to his friend Hamlet. Horatio is Hamlet’s one true friend in whom he can confide and share his feelings, and Horatio is always willing to listen without complaint or objection. Although Hamlet does ultimately go insane, Horatio prolongs his sanity, because he is the first one to notice Hamlet’s gradual mental degradation and does all in his power to keep Hamlet from doing anything that he will regret, while at the same time managing to stay on neutral grounds with the other characters.
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