English 002 Essay

Robson, M Oedipal Visuality: Freud, Romanticism, Hamlet. Romanticism, 15(1), 54-64. (2009). doi:10.3366/E1354991X09000518

In the article, Robson opines that the conflict that pervasive in Hamlet is in line with Oedipus complex, a psychiatrist condition advanced by Sigmund Freud. To qualify his assertion, Robson opines that Hamlet brings to the fore a bottled-up type of desire that is synonymous with Oedipus Rex. Hamlet is hellbent on getting his revenge. He is preoccupied with the thought of avenging his father’s death. The desire in him to avenge his father’s death is so strong that revenge dominates his thoughts. Notably though the drive to avenge his father’s death is dealt a blow when self-doubt bleeds into his intent. His conscience tells him that he is no better than the man he plans to kill. The article exposes the readership to the Freud’s Oedipus Complex theory which goes to show that that harsh comments Hamlets spews at the mother are informed by a condition that could possibly have escaped the attention of the reader.

Detmold, George. “Hamlet's "All but Blunted Purpose"”. The Shakespeare Association Bulletin 24.1 (1949): 22–36. Web.

Detmold observes that just like other tragic heroes such as Romeo, and Macbeth who stayed the course in their pursuit for love and power-things that could have evoked supreme happiness to them-Hamlet applied himself to a course that he thought would the answer to his frustrations and agony. He, for a long time entertained the thought of exterminating the man who executed his father and became romantically involved with his mother. His desire to punish the wrong committed to him overshadowed his rational judgment. He applies himself to moral beauty a reality that shows throughout the play through his actions and utterances. Much as he is driven by the desire to avenge his father’s death, Hamlet’s human side is also highlighted. His preoccupation with morality is sometimes drowned when he comes to the realization that he is just as flawed as the rest. Hamlet’s desire to punish wrongdoing and the author’s portrayal of Hamlet’s actions as godlike shines a spotlight on the authors’ deep-seated idealism.

Snider, D. J. “HAMLET”. The Journal of Speculative Philosophy 7.2 (1873): 67–88. Web.

Snider explains how failure to realize ones desires can set them on a path to self-destruct. Hamlet finds himself wallowing in self pity because of his inability to avenge the misnomer around him that he considers as moral decadence. In a soliloquy that ensues, the reader is exposed to a character that strongly considers suicide. He has not been able to punish wrongdoings in their midst. He also has a problem being there and helplessly witnessing as things he does not approve of. The article calls attention to suicide. It explains that while it may seem as the easy way out when one is consumed and overburdened by the intricacies of life, it does not offer solutions to problems that continue to persist in societies; Hamlet declares at some point that the external world had proved to be overly strong for his frail individuality and considers suicide a feasible route even though he eventually grows cold feet.

Tartell, Hayley E. "Polysemic Language, Democratization, and the Empowerment of the Body Politic in Shakespeare's Hamlet." Inquiries Journal/Student Pulse 7.06 (2015).

The main point for this article is to explain how Hamlet's language towards King Claudius raised the theme of empowerment. From my personal understanding this article is informing us on what they found after analyzing Hamlet's language in the play, Tartell suggests that Hamlet is trying to develop a democracy. The play feature characters who manifest different values, behaviors, and aspirations that yield betrayal and oppression. When Prince Hamlet learned about his Uncle Claudia’s involvement in his father’s death. His resolve to democratize his society and it his community of such vices grows even stronger. Hayley gave examples of what Hamlet said in the play including quotes and citations explaining his findings, also arguing and proving his point in this article. Source of the article seems to be reliable because I have seen other articles the author wrote, and they are all credible.

Jorgensen, Paul A. “Hamlet's Therapy”. Huntington Library Quarterly 27.3 (1964): 239–258. Web.

The article dissects Hamlet’s traits. Other than being a gentle and a meditative prince, Hamlet also espouses a worrisome tendency; he is irritable and cruel in some aspect. Claudia, who watches him closely observes that Hamlet’s problem does not result from anger but instead from something melancholy that sits in his soul. He terms it as danger. Claudia is weary that while Hamlet in his normal state does not pose any danger to the people around him, he is afraid that once the danger that sits in his soul hatches it will result in causalities. He is oblivious to the possible scope of such danger even though he seems certain that some people will hurt. Claudia’s fear is confirmed in the course of the play when Hamlet discloses and warns Laertes that while he is not splenitive and rash, something in him is dangerous.