Character Analysis in Act 1: Hamlet

Character Analysis in Act 1: Hamlet

             In Act 1 of William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, Hamlet plunges into grief due to the sudden death of his father King Hamlet. In several scenes, he appears to be grieving. Hamlet expresses that his grief is not only in his appearance, but is in his soul which indicates that he has an introverted nature. When his mother says he ‘seems’ to be grieving, he verbalizes his grief: "'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother, Nor customary suits of solemn black, Nor windy suspiration of forc'd breath, No, nor the fruitful river in the eye, Nor the dejected haviour of the visage, Together with all forms, moods, shapes of grief, That can denote me truly" (1.2.77-83). Hamlet expresses that he is different than others who only show their sorrow in their appearance because he is grieving in his heart. When Hamlet says this, it does not only show that he utters his deep sorrow, but also reveals his character: he is an introvert who is deep in contemplation. It appears when he intones his deep grief and does not take any action to overcome it. Hamlet's grief is so unbearable that he cannot make correct decisions which leads him to follow the ghost whose appearance resembles his father, thus showing that he is also an impulsive person. He intends to follow the ghost even though Horatio and Marcellus say it is too risky and try to hold him back. He shouts: "My fate cries out, And makes each petty arture in this body As hardy as the Nemean lion's nerve. Still am I call'd; unhand me gentlemen, By heaven I'll make a ghost of him that lets me: I say away! go on, I'll follow thee" (1.4.82-86). By following the ghost immediately, even though he knows it may be an illusion, he reveals that he is an impulsive person who acts on his own quick judgment unlike in first quotation. Encountering the ghost deepens his sadness which leads him to depression. The ghost that introduces himself as the spirit of King Hamlet says he was killed by Claudius and asks Hamlet to avenge his death. After the ghost disappears, Hamlet soliloquizes: "O, fie! Hold, hold, my heart, And you, my sinews, grow not instant old, But bear me stiffly up. Remember thee? Ay, thou poor ghost, while memory holds a seat In this distracted globe. Remember thee? Yea" (1.5.93-98). He believes whatever the ghost tells him due to his intolerable grief and the shock about the truth of his father's death. It appears that he is suffering from depression, as he repeats that he will keep the memory of his father and cannot overcome his grief. As can be seen after the death of King Hamlet, Hamlet is deeply buried in grief. This fact leads him to make incorrect decisions, and to be suffering from depression. With his grief, it is also revealed that Hamlet has multiple personalities. He is an introvert who is deep in contemplation. On the other hand, he is an impulsive person who acts on his own quick judgment.

Work Cited

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Ed. Betty Bealey. Mississauga: Canadian School Book

             Exchange, 1996.