ipl-logo

Essay On Depression In Hamlet

676 Words3 Pages

While it is rather apparent that throughout the entirety of the play Hamlet suffers from depression. He is unsure of what he should do about it. He often contemplates the idea of committing suicide. Hamlet becomes fascinated with the act of suicide, but ultimately he does not take any action towards his thoughts. Hamlet's depression first becomes evident in the first soliloquy that he performs that occurs in Act 1 Scene 2. He states that it is against God's will to take one’s life, “Or that the Everlasting had not fixed / his cannon ‘gainst self-slaughter” (I.ii.42). During the time in history in which Hamlet was written religion was a predominant aspect of society and daily life. The author of the play, William Shakespeare lived in England, where Christianity was dominant. In the Bible, Christianity’s sacred text, it forbids the taking of one’s own life in an act of suicide. It describes it as being a sin to kill you and that it goes against God's will, …show more content…

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. However, he does not completely forget about his wish of dying as he decides he will not kill himself, but he also won’t try and safeguard his life were it to be threatened. In the end a list of various excuses pop up throughout the play that prevent Hamlet from being able to take his own life even though he was more than capable of doing

Show More
Related

  • Madness Of Insanity In Hamlet

    1153 Words  | 5 Pages

    He is depressed and suicidal as indicated in his infamous quote, “To be, or not to be: that is the question.” (3.1.57). However, while many may choose to carry on after the death of a loved one, Hamlet chose to hold on to his sorrow and pretended to be mad so he can know the truth behind his father’s death. Hamlet’s tragic life is not the cause for his madness. Hamlet drives himself to the brink of insanity

    Read More

  • What Is Life Worth Amanda Ripley Analysis

    457 Words  | 2 Pages

    He has a choice to make, so he has to decide if living is worth living and if it is how he will deal with the situation that he has. Hamlet was conflicted he didn 't understand the value of his life in that exact moment. In Hamlets soliloquy the was thinking about the pro and cons of wether to end his life or deal with the problem that his dead father brought to him. He was starting to come to a decision when he’s thoughts were interrupted. This soliloquy brought to light the peoples that most people go through or think about.

    Read More

  • Dissociative Identity Disorder In Hamlet

    1105 Words  | 5 Pages

    Throughout the play, Hamlet has various points where he is confronted with suicidal thoughts or attempts. Throughout Hamlet’s first soliloquy “Oh, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt, / Thaw resolve itself into a dew, / Or that the Everlasting had not fixed/ His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter! Oh God, God!”

    Read More

  • Hamlet Suicide Essay

    1249 Words  | 5 Pages

    Therefore, Hamlet hesitates to kill himself considering the consequences of societal opinions towards him, even with his mental crisis. “That flesh is heir to: ’tis a consummation. Devoutly to be wish’d”(Shakespeare, III, I, 64-65), wherein Hamlet devoutly wishes for consummation which reveals the final instance of all suffering that could be done by death, but also to reach religious completion by salvation to God. Further, Hamlet analogizes death to an undiscovered country.

    Read More

  • Hamlet Mental Illness

    1533 Words  | 7 Pages

    Death is one of the most prominent themes in Hamlet, appearing in different forms. Shakespeare displays death through the suicide of Ophelia, Hamlet’s own thoughts and eventual suicide, and the murder of King Hamlet and Polonius. Hamlet displays suicidal tendencies throughout the play through his soliloquies. The first time that Hamlet contemplates committing suicide is when Gertrude and Claudius tell him that he has to stay in Denmark in Act one. “Oh, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt, thaw, and resolve itself into a dew, or that the Everlasting had not fixed his canon ‘gainst self-slaughter!

    Read More

  • The Affects Of Hamlet's Perspective On Life

    402 Words  | 2 Pages

    He questioned whether or not it was better to be alive or dead. At this moment, Hamlet is depressed and speaks out logical and emotional thoughts to himself. From this, we were able to conclude that Hamlet is discouraged with life. In addition, Hamlet’s perspective on life is formed from multiple events that had occurred. At the beginning of the play we learn that Hamlet’s father has died and this saddens him.

    Read More

  • Depression And Anger In Hamlet

    948 Words  | 4 Pages

    In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Shakespeare uses range of literary techniques such as soliloquies to express Hamlet’s depression and anger. Hamlet’s emotions play a crucial role to achieve his secret ambitions. Events such as King Hamlet’s death, Hamlet’s mother’s expeditious marriage, conflict between Hamlet and Ophelia. Hamlet’s depression and anger is expressed throughout the play but what are the causes. The root of Hamlet’s feelings of depression and anger was his father’s death.

    Read More

  • Self-Confidence In Hamlet

    565 Words  | 3 Pages

    In his first soliloquy, he expresses his intense grief and inner conflict of wanting to commit suicide but not wanting to be punished by God. From this the audience can infer one of Hamlet’s fatal flaws; he is indecisive. He is constantly searching for certainty, since he is unable to make decisions without it. Although Hamlet is wary of the story given to the public to explain the King’s sudden death, it is not until the ghost confirms his suspicions and he uncovers the truth that he vows to “Remember thee!”. He suspects foul play was involved, yet he never acts on this uncertainty until certainty is provided for him.

    Read More

  • Grief In Hamlet's Grief

    1071 Words  | 5 Pages

    His depression is so great that he has thought of suicide, a huge cultural sin, as he knows. Hamlet’s thoughtfulness is also conveyed, taking six lines to delve into his emotions.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Hamlet's Indecisiveness

    628 Words  | 3 Pages

    Like many things, Hamlet is intelligent and honorable, but his indecisiveness is the cause of his tragic downfall. In the play Hamlet, William Shakespeare portrays that Hamlet is very incapable of finishing the task at hand. Throughout the drama Hamlet faces many trials and tribulations due to his late father Hamlet, who was murderously killed by Claudius. His inability to kill Claudius and himself is one grand flaw of an epic hero. After King Hamlets passing, Hamlet entered an unknown state of mind that not only feared others for his wellbeing, but also feared himself.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Suicide In Hamlet

    711 Words  | 3 Pages

    Because of how closely religion and moral was tied together, suicide was considered morally wrong due to its classification as a sin. Hamlet himself claims in the «O´ that this too, too solid flesh would melt» soliloquy that he would commit suicide had it not been deemed wrong by the church. In other words, the play Hamlet treats suicide as a

    Read More

  • Suicide And Suicide In Shakespeare's Hamlet

    840 Words  | 4 Pages

    Throughout the play, suicide is mention by Hamlet and the suicide that he mentions is something that is related with death and decay. The prime idea of this play is about a mystery of death which then causes revenge. This prime idea then lead every single action of Hamlet throughout the play as, his action mostly is in order to seek revenge for the death of his death father, King of Denmark. Hamlet’s father appears to Hamlet as a ghost and tells him that he was murdered by Claudius.

    Read More

  • Strengths And Weaknesses Of Hamlet

    880 Words  | 4 Pages

    Hamlet’s ability to overthink situations or decisions makes him conclude that committing suicide might be the easy way out of his indecisiveness. Hamlet overthinks every problem that is happening. He overthinks so much that he cannot make up his decision about what to do with the problem. The cluelessness that is going on within his mind makes him lose his mental status, life and the love of his life. Hamlets actions are hypnotized by his thoughts: “Thus Conscience does make cowards of us all, And thus the native hue of resolution Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought, And enterprises of great pitch and moment, With this regard their currents turn awry, And lose the name of action” (3.1.85-90).

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Man Vs. Self In Shakespeare's Hamlet

    873 Words  | 4 Pages

    He expresses his feeling in his “heart, for I must hold my tongue” (1.2.160). This is an important quote because it is important to understand because it allows to the reader to see that Hamlet cannot speak to anyone about how he feels. As an effect to his decision of not speaking out, this allowed for rage and discomfort to grow inside him which will be one of the main reasons as to why he is legitimately going insane. With these various stressors in his life, it gives more evidence and reasoning to why he often experienced constant signs of depression and suicidal thoughts. The signs of distress he showed throughout the play are highlighted tremendously since he experienced major signs of depression.

    Read More

  • Psychological Events In Hamlet

    1140 Words  | 5 Pages

    He was to the point where he thought it would just be easier to die than to live with all these struggles. Hamlet’s uncle Claudius killed his father which put a huge burden on his shoulders because he loved his father so much. What made it even worse was his mom, Gertrude, ended up marrying Claudius short after King Hamlet 's death. After the king was murdered, Hamlet saw his father’s “ghost” which told him that Claudius was in fact the one that killed him and that he wanted Hamlet to seek revenge for him by killing Claudius, but not to punish his mother for remarrying. He said it is not his place to do so and that heaven will judge her when it comes time.

    Read More

More about Essay On Depression In Hamlet

Open Document