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William Shakespeare s play Hamlet is based on a conflict within Hamlet. This struggle is between Hamlet s duty to his father and his duties to the monarchy and society. Hamlet s duty as a son is to avenge his father s death. His obligation as Prince, however, is to protect the king and ensure stability in the monarchy.
Hamlet must kill the king in order to requite his father s death, thus creating a conflict between Hamlet s two principal duties. Hamlet s obligation as a son is one which encourages him to seek revenge for his murdered father. Hamlet acknowledges this duty as he assures his father s ghost that he will wipe away all trivial fond records, / All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past/ That youth and observation copied there (I. v. 106 - 108). In order to be seen as a noble son, this will involve killing his father s murderer, who he believes to be the king, Claudius. If he wrongfully kills someone, however, Hamlet will be looked down upon by society.
Hamlet must, therefore, prove Claudius guilt before any action is taken. Hamlet s duty to the monarchy is in direct conflict with his duty as a son. As a prince, it is Hamlet s responsibility to protect the king in order to ensure the stability of the kingdom. Hamlet is also expected to live nobly as a prince, thus maintaining the morals held by society. Consequently, a direct conflict will occur if Hamlet is to kill Claudius. He will, in this situation, fulfill his duties as a son but his actions will be viewed as a betrayal to the monarchy and society.
As Hamlet contemplates killing Claudius, the relationship between Claudius murder of his brother and Hamlet s proposed killing of Claudius is brought to light. It is seen that both situations involve a man killing the king, who also happens to be a close relative in both instances. Although the killings are for different reasons, Hamlet still feels as though the crime will weigh heavily on his shoulders. Although Claudius feelings are not revealed to Hamlet, the reader sees that Claudius feels as though his offense is rank, it smells to heaven; / It hath the primal eldest curse upon t, / A brother s murder! Pray can I not, / Though inclination be as sharp as will. / My stronger guilt defends my strong intent (III.
iii. 39 - 43). It is understood that if Hamlet completes this deed, his inner feelings will begin to mirror the remorseful feelings of Claudius Hamlet stages a play to confirm Claudius guilt in this matter, hence reassuring himself that what he is doing is right. Hamlet is confident that the play s the thing/ Wherein I ll catch the conscience of the King (II. ii. 612 - 13). If Hamlet can prove Claudius guilt, he can then proceed with his plan for revenge and perhaps be at peace with himself. Hamlet does, in the end, get his revenge on Claudius.
Unfortunately he also falls victim to Claudius treachery. Just before his death, Hamlet justifies his death by asking Horatio to report me and my cause aright/ To the unsatisfied (V. ii. 360 - 61). This illustrates to society that Hamlet s actions and his death are noble, while those of Claudius are actually quite dishonorable. Hamlet s internal conflict creates mixed emotions within Hamlet. He wants to be viewed as a noble prince, but also feels as if it is his responsibility to retaliate against his father s murderer.
The fact that Claudius is not only the king, but also Hamlet s uncle, as well as step-father, increases the tension felt within Hamlet. Hamlet eventually becomes certain of Claudius guilt and takes the action he deems necessary. Hamlet is killed in the process, fulfilling his duty as a son, as well as that of society, by doing away with Claudius, a corrupt member of the monarchy and avenging his father s death. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet.
Ed. Louis B. Wright and Virginia A. LaMar. New York, NY: Simon &# 038; Schuster, 1958.
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Research essay sample on Claudius Guilt Father Death
