Hamlet is the best psychological play of Shakespeare. Most of his tragedies penetrate into the characters’ psychologies, but no one comes close to Hamlet in exploring the depth of character psychology. The play centers on Hamlet, the prince of Denmark. His grief for the loss of his father and his need to avenge his murder sets the stage for the play’s action.
The famous line “To be, or not to be: that is the question…” expresses Hamlet’s dilemma. Should he continue his existence and face suffering or should he end his life and take the easy way out? If he takes the latter course, how will he take revenge? He must avenge his father’s death and for that, he must live and endure pain.
The play’s complexity arises not from the plot but from Hamlet’s character. Grief, anger, and revenge slowly eat his mind and unbalance him. Yet, it is not quite sure whether he is truly mad or pretending to be so. Hamlet is a complex character. It is difficult to understand his inner psychology. At times, he is rational, and at another, he is calculating. Then, at a quick turn, he acts like a lunatic. I think the play’s greatness revolves strongly on this one character.
Like many Shakespearean tragedies, Hamlet is also not an easy play to read. Like the spectator who watches the suffering of Hamlet being enacted, the reader too feels his pain through the words. Hamlet is one of the tragic heroes that the spectators and readers equally loved. I felt a profound sympathy for him. However, to ease the tension and to lessen the burden that we carry along with Hamlet, Shakespeare has lightened the atmosphere by inserting elements of humour. That made the reading a little easier for me. Certain dialogues made me laugh aloud, momentarily forgetting that I was reading a tragedy. No offence meant but I particularly enjoyed Shakespeare’s wit against his own people:
Hamlet: Why was he (meaning himself) sent into England? First Clown: Why, because he was mad: he shall recover his wits there; or, if he do not, it’s no matter there. Hamlet: Why? First Clown: ‘Twill, a not be seen in him there: there the men are as mad as he.
I rolled in laughter.
Rating: 4/5
