How Shakespeare Conveys the Complexities of the Human Condition in Hamlet (Essay Sample)

How Shakespeare Conveys the Complexities of the Human Condition in Hamlet Name Institution Course Title Instructor Date Shakespeare demonstrates the complexities of mankind's situation through the experience of King Claudius, Hamlet, and more characters such as Gertrude. The whole story is about revenge. To achieve personal goals people tend to engage in various senseless activities. These senseless such as greed and selfishness are what we refer to as human complexity. We can make mistakes, and we all have flaws. However, it is also what makes us complex and happy as being human. We are continually growing and evolving, noticing our mistakes and growing as people. Shakespeare is known for his complex and many characters, and Hamlet is no exception. Shakespeare uses different literary devices in this play to explore a complex and nuanced portrait of the human condition (Cantor, 2004). For example, the use of figurative language, such as metaphors and similes, helps convey the characters' inner thoughts and feelings. The tone of the play also shifts throughout, from cheerful and happy and comedic moments to dark and tragic ones. This helps to identify further the complex range of emotions that humans experience. The themes of betrayal, revenge, loss, and love are also all relevant to the human experience, and Shakespeare uses them to further develop the characters in the play. Shakespeare uses the theme of loss to convey the complexity of Human nature. The loss of his father profoundly affects Hamlet, and this event sets the play's events in motion. Hamlet is consumed by grief and anger, and he is unable to move on from his father's death. This is conveyed through Shakespeare's use of characterization. For example, Hamlet is described as being “like the portrait of his father.” This comparison highlights the fact that Hamlet is still living in the past and has not been able to let go of his father's death. Shakespeare uses the theme of women as love to convey the complexity of human nature. Hamlet seems to be more emotionally out of control while relating to the female characters in the play. He disagrees with his mother's quick remarriage after the death of her husband, as he thinks she does not love her first partner. After he starts acting mad, Hamlet sees Ophelia, a woman he had been dating, as a bother to him (Munro, 2011). He starts noticing her as his enemy together with Polonius, Claudius, and Gertrude. Although it is not clear why Hamlet disagrees with women characters, Shakespeare uses it as the complexity of human nature. Betrayal is another human experience that applies to the play. In addition to Ophelia's betrayal, Hamlet is also betrayed by his friend, Horatio. Horatio is the only one who knows about Hamlet's plan to kill Claudius and agrees to help Hamlet carry out the plan. However, when Hamlet is about to kill Claudius, Horatio tries to stop him. This betrayal is notable because it leads to Hamlet's downfall. Another relevant human experience is Revenge. After Hamlet learns of his father's murder, he is ...