Character Analysis of Hamlet Play by William Shakespeare (Essay Sample)

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The American Dream in Literature
Hamlet is one of the greatest literary works ever done by William Shakespeare. This paper will give a character analysis of the major characters in the play.
Character analysis Hamlet
Hamlet is considered an enigma, that no matter how much his critics try to investigate him, no iota of truth about him is discovered. Hamlet lives a mysterious life, and everyone seems to understand him differently depending on how they interacted with him at a personal level. Hamlet poses a challenge to Guildenstern and everyone who seeks to get to know and understand him: "You would pluck out the heart of my mystery" (Pyles,133). The riddle that is Hamlet thickens because every time his audience try to understand him, the more he looks different. When trying to understand literary characters, our perception is drawn mainly to what we bring on the table while trying to investigate a character. Just like a friend, a colleague, a family member or your teacher, Hamlet is a complete character whose relationship keeps changing every time we visit and revisit him. For this reason, the audiences love him more and cannot get tired of his intrigues.
The paradoxical nature of Hamlet earns him love from the audience. At one point he is an excellent iconoclast from Elsinore Society who self-exiles himself, and at another instance, he is a celebrated champion from Denmark. Hamlet loses all his friends, although Horatio gives him unconditional love. Hamlet appears angry, miserable, suicidal and a man who seems to hate himself, yet at the same time he thinks existentially by accepting that he has to face life, Woof (75): "We defy augury. There is special providence in the fall of a sparrow." We can learn that Hamlet is a misogynist who is afraid of love and women that at one point, he insults Ophelia by use of sexual innuendos and even urges her to get to a monastery. In this scenario, monastery epitomizes both sexual abstinence and perversity. This is to say, in a monastery, Ophelia takes a vow of chastity while in a brothel she acts as a sexual item.
Character analysis Claudius
Villains in William Shakespeare's play are complex. Shakespeare distinguishes his plays from Jacobean and Elizabeth culture plays of morality or revenge, but Shakespearean criminals do not have simple precision of complete evil. In this case, Claudius represents a typical Shakespearian antagonist. Claudius has a genuine charm and adept socially. At one point he exhibits profound distress after the death of his brother and also shows admiration for his dear wife. "Th'imperial jointress to this warlike state" (Della,133). We acknowledge that Claudius understands that a great funeral is a requirement, but again he turns the funeral into a celebration. Claudius is decided man, fair in his judgement and politics and with a commanding nature, if Gertrude's allegiance is anything to go by. Claudius sometimes displays a lot of heroism as compared to Hamlet. He cleverly manipulates fortune to ensure he gets what even does not belong to him and does not apologize for it, and has the rare courage and strength to say he will do it again. A great Shakespearean antagonist is seen by how he completely mirrors their protagonist. Claudius, just like Hamlet, believes that the end can justify the means, so they exploit all means at their disposal, including sacrificing humanity, to achieve their goals. Claudius is more of a villain because he is utterly wrong while Hamlet is correct. Hamlet commits murder but seeks for contrition before dying while Claudius does not
Character analysis Gertrude
Gertrude has a quite shadowy character that cannot give much substance for characterization. Most of her character is derived from what other characters say about her and not necessarily what she says. Gertrude is considered "th'imperial jointress" to the Danish throne to mean she is quite powerful, and Claudius had political reasons to pick her for marriage. Through Hamlet, we are able to see a picture of Gertrude as an obedient woman who devoted her life to serving the king. However, two question that beg for answers are, does Gertrude know that her husband Claudius is a criminal? Did she use power at her disposal to help Claudius finish Hamlet and lay an obstacle preventing Prince Hamlet from ascending to the throne? Nevertheless, textual references are conclusive. At one point, King Hamlet's ghost refers to her as "most seemingly virtuous queen" (Kocak,73). Besides, he implores hamlet to "Leave her to Heaven / And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge / To prick and sting her" (Draya,34). Going by what the ghost says, it is clear that she must have been involved in the atrocities committed by Claudia. Generally, Gertrude remains to be a malleable character in the play
Character analysis Polonius
Trying to cast Polonius in a way that demeans him is a common danger. Although he is a boastful and his speeches represent clichés that were used as far as the 16th century, Polonius has reasonable pieces of advice that and most of his observations are prophetic. Furthermore, Polonius is considerably aged and suffering from dementia, but politically, he is adept. Polonius admits that he may not be a man who commands a lot of respect and admiration, but at least he has been able to rise to become a counselor to a King (Paul,657)). There is a likelihood that he counselled King Hamlet too. However, just like in the case of Gertrude the references are not conclusive especially when the following questions come up; does Polonius commission Reynaldo to spy on Laertes because he cares for his son or simply because he is keen on hiding his real character which was likely to come haunting him? Does Polonius decide to sacrifice Ophelia because he wants to safeguard his ambitions because he feared the king might dispose of him? Is Polonius more focused on keeping his position in Denmark or ensuring the welfare of is children are served?
Character analysis Ophelia
Just like Gertrude, Ophelia holds a very shadowy role in the play, and it is undoubtedly a challenging role to assume in such a play. One reason that makes it challenging to play a role like Ophelia's is that, while assigning roles, Shakespeare assigned feminine roles to men, making them feel limited and restricted due to the devised characters. Ophelia, a young woman, in this case, Shakespeare assigns her the role of a boy making her not to grasp the subtle nuances that are associated with boys, thus not bringing out the character entirely. Ophelia is in a dilemma. Her father and brother believe that Hamlet does not love her and that he will only take away her virginity and not marry her. On her part, she is convinced that Hamlet loves her and will marry her although he refutes such a claim (Marino,827). Her father and brother view Ophelia as an epitome of good morals and a future steadfast mother to her children while Hamlet considers her a sexual object, a dirty and deceiving lover. Ophelia is governed by the primitive precept, where a command issued by a father is unquestion