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One of the distinctive features that sets Hamlet apart from other plays by Shakespeare is the constant deferral of action, particularly by the titular character. Instead of immediate resolution, Hamlet's quest revolves around comprehending the truth surrounding his father's demise and determining the course of his own actions. Unlike other plays that may take certain elements for granted, Hamlet raises profound questions, introducing uncertainties that both Hamlet and the audience grapple with throughout the narrative.
Hamlet is haunted by uncertainties that permeate the very fabric of the play.
A pivotal uncertainty revolves around the ghost he encounters, purportedly his father. However, Hamlet remains unsure of the ghost's true nature — benevolent or demonic. To unravel the mystery, Hamlet orchestrates a play within the play, keenly observing Claudius's reactions. While this theatrical gambit aids in deciphering his father's death, Hamlet falters in the crucial moment of Claudius's prayer, apprehensive that killing him then would grant the king swift passage to heaven.
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The elusive nature of certainty becomes a formidable obstacle hindering Hamlet's decisive actions. Moreover, the ambiguity extends to Hamlet's contemplation of the afterlife, rendering him unable to commit suicide.
However, this impossibility of certainty does not only affect Hamlet in the play, but also the spectator: Shakespeare uses it on his public to underline Hamlet's difficulties. The most striking example of it is the question of Hamlet's madness. He decides that acting mad will serve his purpose, but the limit between his acting and his psyche is completely unknown to us.
Part of this lies in the choices of the stage director: for example, if there is no effective ghost on stage when Hamlet sees it when his mother doesn't, it accentuates the fact that he can be considered mad. However, some things in the play already implant doubt in the spectator's mind. His lucidity, for instance, is what makes us think he is still sane; however, when Ophelia loses her mind (and, for her, no doubt is possible), she distributes flowers that correspond to each character in their most intimate secrets, showing a certain lucidity in madness. We are therefore incapable of knowing the truth about Hamlet's madness.
Some people have made of Hamlet a play about indecisiveness, and thus a play about Hamlet's failure to act. However, when he finally thinks he has obtained the truth, he takes action in a rapid and rash way: he kills Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, probably some pirates, Leartes and finally, the King. It is therefore more interesting to consider that the play shows us how many uncertainties our lives are built upon, how many unknown things are taken for granted when people act or when they evaluate one another's actions.
The enigma of certainty does not confound only Hamlet within the play; it also envelops the audience. Shakespeare masterfully employs this uncertainty to accentuate Hamlet's internal struggles, particularly regarding his sanity. The most conspicuous manifestation of this is Hamlet's feigned madness. The boundary between his theatrical pretense and genuine mental turmoil remains indistinct to the audience. The directorial choices further influence perception; for instance, the absence of a visible ghost during Hamlet's encounter amplifies the specter of madness. However, inherent ambiguities persist, leaving spectators uncertain about the authenticity of Hamlet's mental state. Even when Ophelia descends into madness, her coherent distribution of flowers corresponding to intimate secrets of various characters blurs the lines between lucidity and insanity, compounding the uncertainties for the audience.
While some view Hamlet as a study in indecisiveness and interpret his inaction as failure, a closer examination reveals a different perspective. When Hamlet believes he has grasped the truth, he acts swiftly, if not recklessly. His actions include the unintended killing of Polonius, dispatching Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, encounters with pirates, a fatal clash with Laertes, and ultimately the demise of King Claudius. Rather than a portrayal of indecision, the play becomes a profound exploration of the uncertainties that underpin human existence. Hamlet's impulsive actions underscore the numerous unknowns that shape our lives, urging us to question assumptions and evaluations we make about ourselves and others.
In conclusion, Hamlet stands as a testament to the intricacies of uncertainty, both within the narrative and in its impact on the audience. The play challenges simplistic interpretations of indecision and failure, inviting us to contemplate the uncertainties that govern our lives. Hamlet's quest for truth and the subsequent actions reveal the profound unknowns that underlie human existence. Embracing these uncertainties becomes not only a thematic essence of Hamlet but also an invitation for the audience to confront the intricate ambiguities woven into the fabric of their own lives.
Hamlet's Quest for Certainty: Uncertainties in Shakespeare's Masterpiece. (2016, Feb 19). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/how-does-the-impossibility-of-certainty-affect-hamlet-essay
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