Numerous writers throughout history have used the characters of their literature to display certain aspects of human nature. William Shakespeare was no exception. Shakespeare wrote many plays that contained characters that represented specific areas of human nature. Within one of his best known works, Hamlet, Shakespeare creates such a vivid and in-depth view of the characters that each one can clearly represent some area of human nature. The characters show aspects such as hatred, revenge, anger, and even excessive pride. Specifically, Hamlet’s actions and speech make it very easy to delineate the parts of human nature he represents. As the play progresses, it becomes very clear that Hamlet has some major character flaws, but through these flaws the reader is able to distinguish certain things his character provides about human nature.
Hamlet is a very complicated character in the play. His anger and thirst for revenge for his father’s death drives his actions throughout the play. As the need for revenge starts to pulse through Hamlet’s blood, he becomes increasingly angry and this need for revenge eventually results in his own death. His passion for revenge destroys his logic and begins to affect his thought process as shown in many situations when Hamlet over thinks certain things. Throughout the play Hamlet has the ability to take action at certain times. However, Hamlet does not take advantage of these moments. His inability to take action when action is necessary such as when he has the opportunity to get his revenge on Claudius gives the reader a very clear image of Hamlet’s character. Moreover his inability to act also gives the reader a look at human nature and how people who do not act when necessary do not get anywhere in life. Hamlet’s thirst for revenge also gives the reader a chance to see how it is only human nature to want revenge, but if a person lets it consume them then it can only lead to more problems for them.
One of Hamlet’s major character flaws would be his unreal expectations. He expects everything to go his way and if it does not happen that way then he becomes angry. This issue of unreal expectations causes Hamlet to become cynical and very depressed. When Hamlet and Ophelia speak with each other and she basically tells him that she does not love him, but really cannot love him he becomes enraged and then starts to spiral out of control as the play progresses. Hamlet begins to think too much about certain aspects of his life and this takes a toll on him also. Specifically, there is Hamlet’s famous soliloquy which he contemplates the idea of suicide. Hamlet’s depression and cynical attitude caused by unreal expectations are both very important in analyzing his overall representation of human nature. People who believe that certain things should always happen a certain way or people who always expect others to act a certain way usually end up being disappointed several times just like Hamlet. If this continues to happen then people can become very cynical because they soon start to see things do not always go the way they expect.
Hamlet’s love for Ophelia also gives the reader a very good look at what kind of effect love can have on a person. After Ophelia rejects Hamlet because she is forced too, the reader suddenly begins to see him contemplating suicide. This reaction shows how much certain emotions can affect humans. In Hamlet’s case, this makes him become irrational. This is just another case of human nature prevailing in Shakespeare’s play. After Ophelia’s death, Hamlet becomes even more irrational. His raw emotions begin to play a definite role in his actions.
The revenge, anger, hatred, and love that possess Hamlet’s soul in the play all give the reader examples of human nature. A closer look into Hamlet’s thought process reveals a fatal flaw of not acting when necessary. Emotions control many actions in humans, but the key is being able to control the emotions unlike Hamlet. He shows the exact opposite as the play drives forward and his emotions begin to take control of his actions. Every pulse of Hamlet’s heart and every thought that goes through his mind gives the reader a closer look at human nature.
