Hamlet thoughts

29 March 2008 @ 5:30 p.m.

So I need my euphoric vacation, and diaryland seems to be the right place to rant.

I did a presentation of Claudius's soliloquy (prayer scene) in Hamlet a few weeks ago and had to admit that I fell in love with the play. It was a tour de force in exploring the intricate politics through revenge and repentance, coupled with suspense and Machiavellian politics of manipulation.

Hamlet, to me, is the English version of HBO's Rome.* Claudius is Machiavellian in manipulating others in his scheme to kill Hamlet, be it violence or spying, while Hamlet, too manipulated others, as seen in his dumbshow.

Although the females seem passive in the play, I argue it's the exact opposite. Gertrude have to submit to Claudius's demands for survival, as she would be killed if she disobeys. Perhaps she was ignorant with King Hamlet, or perhaps, she simply accepts the truth and tries to live on.* Meanwhile, Ophelia appears much more rational than Laertes and Polonius. Indeed, Laertes's violence after Polonius and Ophelia's deaths made him almost a hellish creature driven by his savage instincts. Meanwhile, Polonius was bribed by Claudius's rhetoric to spy on Hamlet, and overestimate his abilities to resolve the conflict, leading to his death.

Perhaps Ophelia had no choice but to die. With Polonius's death, Hamlet's madness and Claudius's manipulation, the only way to remain pure would be to die in this wretched society. (Provided that she can't escape this vicious cycle). Some critics also argue that Ophelia is pregnant as Hamlet states her as a "breeder of sinners", and if that is so, how could she bear to let the baby live in an environment full of conflict and manipulation? Or a fatherless environment? (It seems that Hamlet is mad, or will die at the end.)

I completely applaud Shakespeare for being a prototype of feminist of some kind. This is also seen in Romeo and Juliet. While Romeo is almost an irrational pervert driven by passion (e.g. killing Tybalt, and immediately loving Juliet because of her appearance), Juliet's love for Romeo is a sign of her maturity, to a point she gives up her family, and her life for Romeo.

P.S. I just realized how much I rambled on Shakespeare, but hopefully it gives you some new perspective on his works.

* I wanted to see Rome but I am too faint hearted. Here's a list of works that also resemble the manipulating politics and human nature like that of Rome:

Books: Tales of Genji, Hamlet/Saxo Grammaticus (Norse source of Hamlet), Tale of Three Kingdoms (forgive my translation).

Myths/ancient tales: Julius Caesar, Battle of Troy, Anthony & Cleopatra.

Films: The Banquet, Warlords (if you can see Jet Li's shifting code of honor), Rome.

NB: The rambling above is of the author's own opinion, hopefully she will be a Shakespearian.

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