Death is a scary thing to Hamlet because nothing is really known about it. He says death "puzzles the will" in line 25 showing that if it weren't so uncertain his will would be to die. Because of the same uncertainty, he says "conscience does make cowards of us all" (line 28), reinstating that if he didn't have a conscience that made him scared of the uncertainty he would already be dead.
Williams Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, describes the tragic death of King Hamlet, whose son becomes very depressed and impacted by the death of his father, causing him to plan revenge honoring his father’s death. The son, Hamlet, constantly is mourning his father and is depressed about how no one seems to be mourning for him. This causes Hamlet to lose his relationships with people in his family because he keeps to himself, rather than voicing his suffering to others in effort to heal. This inhibits his recovery and perpetuates his depressive state. Malcolm Gladwell disagrees with Hamlet’s way to handle grief and suggests a more proactive way to improve their situation.
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / or to take arms against a sea of troubles… / ... To die: to sleep” (3.1.56-60). Hamlet here is questioning his own existence and his purpose to live. He is now reached a stage of despair where he is losing sight of truly why he must be alive. This emotion becomes so prominent as he continues on more describing life’s difficulties and how easy it would be to put a permanent end to them by ultimately putting an end to his own life.
Throughout the progression of the play Hamlet’s views on suicide shift and change. In the beginning of the play he views it as an option, a way for him to escape his troubles in the mortal life. Though, the thought that suicide could lead to him suffering an eternal damnation deterred him from committing suicide. As the play progresses he is stopped to commit the act, but his own mind, which was unable to bring itself to harm his fragile body. Hamlet then ultimately he dismisses the idea away with the excuse that it is his duty to avenge his father’s assassination.
(Act 2) Contemplating suicide, he questions himself philosophically if it is justified to live
His cowardice prevents Hamlet from moving forward in his plans as his concerns for falling short in his father’s eyes prohibit him from even trying. Were he to try killing the king only to fail, not only could he suffer the pre-established consequences he fears, but the King would also continue living, his father would not have been served justice, and would continue walking in purgatory. Hamlet does not trust his own abilities. Hamlet strives for the success that he sees in those around him, including Claudius, his own father, and most importantly, Fortinbras. He compares himself to him, stating “Quote – Hamlet comparing himself to Fortinbras, saying how good he is”, which clearly shows he strives for success yet is to afraid that he will lose it were he to
In conclusion John is scared for his wife, doesnt want his reputation or name tarnished, and he doesn't want to die but wants to keep his dignity. Johns decision to not confess ultimately led to his death, if he chose to confess he would still be alive and with his kids and
Death is certain; the afterlife is not. In Hamlet many characters reminisce about death. Our protagonist, Hamlet, in particular is especially fascinated with the thought of suicide. He has trouble thinking of reasons as to why people even bother with life at all. Why go through the torments of the living when a knife will end your sorrows?
For example, even though Catholics are told that such afterlife exists, it’s considered a wrongdoing to control when you want to die. Which is why, suicide is intolerable for Hamlet to commit, since he sees it, as a sin against his God. In general, his faith played a vital role in the story to the decision’s he made of not attempting suicide and thinking more righteously. But yet again, throughout the play, as he understands the reality of human under his perspective, he begins to drift his mind into a world that he can’t hold on to. In other words, religion seems to have failed him in order to think positively and to have his morals in
Hamlet starts the soliloquy with a question of “To be, or not to be.” The question uses parallel structure and repetition with the phrase “to be,” which emphasizes the impact of the answer to this question on Hamlet’s future. Hamlet then employs war imagery in order to highlight the consequences of choosing each path. In order to illuminate the suffering he undergoes by “being,” he uses the words “slings” and “arrows,” which provide an image of Hamlet being bombarded by pain from all sides. Meanwhile, he uses the word “arms” to describe what action he would have to take to conquer the “sea of troubles” that he faces in his daily life.
Throughout the ages, the answer to the question of life’s purpose has eluded and confused many. Shakespeare creates the “To be, or not to be” speech and uses intentional structure to reveal Hamlet’s paradigm on life. After Hamlet is called to vengeance by his father’s ghost, he goes about his “antic disposition” (2.1.181) to begin his plot to murder his uncle, Claudius. He is conflicted by this plan of action because while he feels an obligation to help his father escape purgatory, committing murder is against his religion.
Hamlet, the play written by William Shakespeare, is the story of a young adult struggling with not only the recent death of his father, but also his mother’s quick marriage to his uncle and all of the other complications that come with the bizarre situation taking place in the throne of Denmark. Hamlet is a very dynamic character as he himself isn’t really sure how he feels about the conflicts of the plot, which eventually lead to the death of much of the royal family. Hamlet copes with his problems by showing others his suicidal contemplations and insane thoughts. The way Hamlet handles his issues is triggered by previous encounterings and affects the eventual outcome of the play.
Proctor 1 Andrew Proctor English 12/ Mrs. Hogan Hamlet Analysis November 28, 2016 Rational or Foolish? The world is filled with ups and downs, and with a great deal of time to think about them, can lead to thoughts blown way out of proportion and ultimately, insanity. Hamlet's to be or not to be soliloquy from the play Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, portrays something that crosses every human's mind, even for the slightest of moments; to keep pushing forward or to give up on life. Suicide is then a choice when situations become rough, but a cowardly act.