Hamlet A Sense Of Superiority Over Claudius example essay topic

Antiheroism In Hamle Antiheroism has always been an interesting aspect o character that authors have chosen to illustrate. I literature, there has been countless antiheroic characters from Randle Mc Murphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo' Nest and Allie Fox in The Mosquito Coast, to others a famous as Robin Hood and By literary definition, a antihero is the "hero' of the play or novel, but ha negative attributes which separate him or her from th classic hero such as Superman. Such negative aspect may include a violent nature, use of coarse language, o self serving interests which may inadvertently depict th protagonist as a hero since the result of serving thos interests may be the betterment of society or a environment. In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, th protagonist, Hamlet, is depicted as an antihero. One mai factor which gives Hamlet such a label is that he draw sympathy, as well as admiration, from the reader sinc Hamlet feels the pain of losing his father along with th burden and obstacles in avenging his murder. Act fou places a special emphasis on Hamlet's intelligence.

I scene two, Hamlet is very insolent and rude toward Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with such phrases as, Tha I can keep your counsel and not, mine own. Beside, t be demanded of a sponge, what replication should b made by the son of a king? (IV, ii, 12-14) The referenc to the sponge reflects the fact that Rosencrantz an Guildenstern are easily ordered by the king and do no have minds of their own. Hamlet does not lik Rosencrantz and Guildenstern since they are servants o the Claudius, Hamlet's mortal enemy. The reader doe not like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern either whic causes the reader to side with Hamlet Another incident of Hamlet's high intelligence is show when he Hamlet tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, I a glad of it: a knavish sleeps in a foolish ear. (IV, ii, 24-25 This statement leaves Rosencrantz and Guildenstern mor or less confused.

Hamlet is clearly more clever than th two of them combined and is able to toy wit them. Hamlet has an excellent command of the language and because of it, can use words to the point that thos around him will not understand and may label him a crazy. Hamlet shows another example of his cleverness this time towards Claudius, when he says, I see a cher that sees them. But, come; for England! Farewell, dea mother. (IV, , 49-50) The cherub, or the angel, give Hamlet a sense of superiority over Claudius.

Having a angel at one's side would be a definite sign of power which is exactly what Hamlet tries to maintain ove Claudius in their constant power struggle. Just whe Claudius thinks he controls Hamlet, it is really Hamle who has the upper hand over Claudius There are very strong philosophical references made b Hamlet in this act regarding life and death. Hamlet tell Claudius, Your worm is your only emperor for diet: w fat all creatures else to fat us, and we fat ourselves fo maggots: your fat king and your lean beggar is bu variable service, two dishes, but to one table: that's th end. (IV, , 21-26) This statement id a reference to th food chain, and in turn, a reflection on the meaning of life It illustrates the equality of men in that whether one i born to be a king or a beggar, when one dies, we are al equal.

Worms and maggots do not treat any bod differently once one is dead and buried The final scene draws the greatest sympathy toward Hamlet even though he is not even in the scene. Th forces of Claudius and Laertes have combined agains Hamlet. Claudius states, To an exploit now ripe in m device, Under the which he shall not choose but fall, An for his death no wind of blame shall breathe; But even hi mother shall unchanged the practice, And call it accident (IV, vii, 65-69) Claudius is willing to undertake an measures necessary to eliminate Hamlet, to the point tha it does not matter whether or not it hurts Gertrude in an way. This scene depicts Hamlet as the victim, much lik two bullies picking on a smaller child in school, since th king, with the aid of Laertes, is out to kill Hamlet, thi time with a passion.

Much like a political revolutionary Hamlet has the system against him and is facing deat because of his loyalty and honour towards his father The fact that Hamlet's life is not indeed in jeopardy attributes to his "hero's tat us. In addition, his only fault i the desire to avenge his father's murder, an ac considered completely honourable by the reader However, Hamlet's negative attributes include hi rudeness towards others, including the fair Ophelia, an violent nature as shown when he kills Polonium, albe i accidently, and shows no remorse, caus in reclassification from the classic hero, to the mor ap.