Even in high school during which my teacher interpreted Hamlet as a psychological drama with a cowardly, indecisive and disturbingly Oedipal main character, I saw Hamlet as primarily a depiction of a political showdown between Hamlet and Claudius. Having reigned for only two months, during which time he has, despite his country’s weakened position, used diplomatic maneuvering to defuse the violent ambitions of the young Fortinbras, married his sister-in-law, and maintained the goodwill of the multitude shows that Claudius is a remarkably crafty and charismatic, even seductive, politician. His furtive murder of his brother also demonstrates his ruthlessness and cunning. As for Hamlet, his profoundest frustration is not the loss of his father or the marriage of his mother to Claudius: It is that Claudius has usurped what Hamlet perceives is his rightful place in the succession for the throne, a fact that he obsessively discusses with most of the play’s principal characters. In their first interaction of the play, Claudius publicly reassures Hamlet that he remains next in line to the throne. To remain heir apparent to a man younger than his father is not satisfactory to him, and he is filled with impotent rage at his mother’s marrying Claudius, an act that surely solidified Claudius in the eyes of the nobles who elected him. The appearance of his father’s ghost and his learning of the true circumstances of his demise present a golden opportunity. Though the elder Hamlet asks his son only to avenge his death, the younger man wants to have his cake and eat it, too: to kill Claudius, and assume the throne himself. The latter is Hamlet’s primary objective, and to achieve it within the conservative royal milieu without upsetting it, he must navigate through complex historical, cultural, and political realities that stack the odds decidedly against his favor. Nonetheless, Hamlet is nearly Machiavellian enough to succeed, though ultimately he is defeated by his towering passions and rage.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Political Entropy and Ruling Decadence in Hamlet
- Hamlet's Political Dilemma
- The Political Economy of Hamlet's Time
- The Decadence of Hamlet's Denmark
- The Role of Christianity and Viking Culture
- A More Sophisticated Monarchy
- Hamlet's Political Skills
- Claudius' Popularity and Hamlet's Limitations
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to analyze the political dynamics and ruling decadence present in Shakespeare's Hamlet. It examines Hamlet's political ambitions and his struggles within a complex, decadent society. The essay also explores the historical and cultural context of the play, examining the transition from Viking culture to a more sophisticated monarchy and the impact of Christianity.
- Political Entropy and Ruling Decadence in Hamlet's Denmark
- The Impact of Viking Culture and Christianity on Danish Society
- Hamlet's Political Ambitions and Struggles within a Corrupt System
- The Role of Monarchy and Class System in Shaping Political Power
- The Influence of Historical and Cultural Context on the Play's Themes
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first part of the essay explores the political and economic realities of Hamlet's time, drawing parallels between the Vikings' aggressive history and the decadent, weakened state of Denmark. It discusses the impact of Viking culture on the Danish psyche and the subsequent shift towards Christianity. The essay also explores the complex and sophisticated monarchy of Hamlet's time, highlighting the role of the king and the nobility in shaping the political landscape. It then focuses on Hamlet's political skills and his struggle to navigate the complexities of a corrupt system. The essay concludes by analyzing Claudius' popularity and its impact on Hamlet's pursuit of revenge and his own ambitions for the throne.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key topics of the essay include political entropy, ruling decadence, Viking culture, Christianity, Hamlet's political ambition, corrupt system, sophisticated monarchy, Claudius' popularity, Hamlet's limitations, and historical and cultural context.
- Quote paper
- Mark Schauer (Author), 2011, Political Decadence and Ruling Entropy in "Hamlet", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/230266
