Shakespeare's Understanding the Complexities of Human Condition (Research Paper Sample)

Shakespeare's Understanding of the Complexities of the Human Condition
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Shakespeare's Understanding of the Complexities of the Human Condition
An accomplished and acclaimed writer, Shakespeare tackled numerous issues through his various works. In Hamlet Prince of Denmark, he comments on the human condition, exploring its complexities. He defines the human condition as people’s struggles with being human as they seek meaning, handle loneliness, the limitations of free will versus social programming, and the reality of immortality. Therefore, being a complex human being is struggling with the human condition while trying to meet outside expectations. Hamlet and Claudius are the personifications of these complexities. Shakespeare employs tone, characterization, and themes to exemplify the human condition complexities as characters struggle with social indoctrination, freewill, greed, betrayal, corruption, and mortality.
Shakespeare employs themes and symbolism to develop the complex character of Hamlet. He is a complex melancholic character angry with his father dying, rejection by his true love, and betrayal from his friends. Believing his uncle killed his father, he desires to avenge this death (Shakespeare, Hirschfeld & Edwards, 2019). When his uncle marries his mother, his rage multiplies and fuels his desire even more. Therefore, Shakespeare shows humans are complicated through the theme of anger as some, like Hamlet, choose anger and revenge while others choose a different path. People struggle with various dilemmas and make different decisions on handling their affairs (Firouzjaee & Pourkalhor, 2014). Through the theme of anger and revenge and a melancholic and stern tone, Shakespeare shows the human condition is complex, and people struggle with various issues, resolving them differently.
Mortality and the afterlife, greed, justice, and forgiveness are complexities of the human condition embodied by Hamlet and his relationship with his father’sfather'sWhen his father’sfather'sisits, it asks Hamlet for vengeance and justice. The ghost accuses Hamlet’sHamlet'sClaudius, of a “foul an" most unnatural murder” (Shake"peare, Hirschfeld & Edwards, 2019). However, Claudius is the new king and Hamlet’sHamlet'sher. In this state, Hamlet feels he is “a rogue"and peasant slave” to his"complex condition (Shakespeare, Hirschfeld & Edwards, 2019). He is torn between preserving peace in the kingdom by sparing the new king’s lking'sd avenging his father just as his ghost had directed. Shakespeare shows the complexities of the human condition through Hamlet’sHamlet'sdecisions and the ghost’s ghost'sfe activities. Hamlet must decide whether to act considering the living and preserve peace in the kingdom or comply with the dead (the ghost) and avenge his father.
Claudius betrays his nephew by informing Laertes about his father’sfathe' 's In a moment of weakness, imprudence, and ignorance, he orchestrated a series of actions that led to his death. When Laertes cuts himself with his poisoned sword and later Hamlet, he seeks forgiveness for his actions, telling Hamlet, “Haste m" to know’t, know't, with wings as swift/ As meditation or thoughts of love/ May sweep to my revenge” (Shake"peare, Hirschfeld & Edwards, 2019). Instinctively, Hamlet forgives him for his error in judgment. As such, Shakespeare points to the human condition as a complicated give and take situation. People act out of anger