The Enigma of Hamlet's Character

In Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, all of the characters possess great influence over Hamlet and his mentality in grand scheme of things. However, there is far more perplexity and mystery regarding Hamlet’s character because his soul is so complex and his mentality is often deeply inscrutable during the course of the play. Hamlet’s multifaceted character slowly unravels from Act to Act, but as these multiple dimensions to his character are slowly exposed, it only yields more questions instead of answers. It is very difficult to precisely conceive Hamlet’s real nature and individuality because it is often masked by deception, facades, and feigned sanity (or so we are led to believe). Nonetheless, it is fascinating to examine Hamlet’s dark, cynical, sarcastic, insecure, and clever character from various perspectives that can all be rendered true in solely based on interpretation and scrutiny.

At first, Hamlet is completely dejected and woeful after he learns of his father’s untimely death. Even from his very first words in the play, when he says “a little more than kin and less than kind” (1.2.67), Shakespeare intentionally emphasizes Hamlet’s isolation and forlorn character by making his first line an aside. Immediately, we are presented with Hamlet’s deep-rooted seclusion that continually manifests itself throughout the play. Additionally, Hamlet expresses his desolate sentiments towards his mother, clarifying that “‘tis not alone [his] inky cloak…that can denote [him] truly. These indeed “seem,” / For they are actions that a man might play” (1.2.80-87). These powerful lines profoundly encompass the essence of Hamlet’s character in a nutshell. The recurring notions of acting versus being, appearance versus reality, and “is-ing” versus seeming are all portrayed within some of Hamlet’s first words in the entire play. This excerpt also exemplifies Hamlet’s keen and astute understanding of the world around him, as he always relies on insight to perpetrate the truth.

Moreover, Hamlet is highly adept at manipulating and adjusting language in such a witty and intricate manner that is practically incomprehensible by any other less-intelligent character. This aspect of Hamlet’s personality is central to his character’s progression throughout the play, as he once again, further distances himself from others due to his proficient and adept understanding of words, and his remarkably rich vocabulary. However, his vast understanding of language could also be the source of his demise, since Hamlet constantly feels constrained by his own decisiveness and judgment that essentially hinder him from committing the rightful deed of avenging his father. Although Hamlet’s wits are a defense mechanism, they are also an encumbrance and a nuisance to his burning rage and ambitions. His intelligence and essentially his mind are ironically a burden to his soul, because Hamlet is innately compelled to ponder every situation in excess, which causes him to fall into a state of stagnation and immobility in regards to his intended actions.

Similarly, Hamlet can be considered an existentialist, as he believes that only actions have the ability to create man (and man has no essence), but he perpetually questions his existence and purpose in life. This is an especially prevalent concept in Hamlet’s “to be or not to be” speech, in which he truly ruminates and contemplates the core of existentialism and what it means “to be.” This speech is by far, Hamlet’s most pivotal and meaningful soliloquys in the whole play, and his question of human existence truly embodies the whole essence of his character. Hamlet is conflicted in his thoughts as he questions “To be or not to be—that is the question: / Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer…Or to take arms against a sea of troubles” (3.1.64-67), which makes me wonder, is this Hamlet’s tragic flaw? Or is this Hamlet’s madness emerging? Also, is Hamlet in fact a hero or a coward in the end?