Themes

Action and Inaction

One of the most popular revenge tragedies, Hamlet subverts the genre by focusing on Hamlet’s indecision about whether or not he should seek revenge. From the ghost’s revelation about the murder to Claudius’ guilty reaction while watching the play, Hamlet spends a lot of time contemplating the next course of action. Hamlet also spends too much time planning and trying to come to terms with the moral ambiguities of the crime he wanted to commit. Had he been prompt, he could have saved himself and the others from getting killed. In direct contrast to his indecisiveness and inaction are the determination of Laertes and Fortinbras.

Fortinbras is quick to invade Poland over a dispute related to a piece of land. Laertes is moved to action at the news of his sister’s and father’s deaths. Claudius has to hold him back with a promise of supporting him in exacting revenge from Hamlet. Lack of action has often been labeled by scholars as the Hamlet’s tragic flaw.

Honor and Revenge

Women and men are custodians of different kinds of honor. When Laertes declares that only a bastard might hesitate to seek revenge for his father’s death, he makes an important point about what is expected of honorable noblemen. He makes a connection between the right to seek revenge and the honor of a man. Hamlet’s father’s ghost also says that to prove himself as honorable and faithful, Hamlet must seek revenge.

On the other hand, Gertrude’s decision to marry her brother-in-law is held in deep contempt by both the ghost and Hamlet. Various comments and remarks are made about her dishonorable behavior in the context of her king’s death. Society demands that she prove her faithfulness to the dead king by grieving and remaining a widow. Similarly, Ophelia’s sexuality and honor are heavily controlled by Laertes and Polonius. Laertes’ biggest concern before he leaves for France is that Ophelia should not engage in sexual activities and spend time with Hamlet, who is beginning to be regarded as a mad person. Polonius has similar directives for Ophelia about how she is to protect her honor by not spending too much time with Hamlet and rejecting his suit.

Death

The play opens with a focus on the theme of death, as the sentries comment upon the gloom that has descended upon the kingdom. The ghost is a constant reminder that the plot revolves around the death of Hamlet’s father and its consequences. Hamlet’s preoccupation with avenging his father’s death along with his lengthy monologues in which he contemplates suicide add another dimension to this theme. He is constantly engaged in introspective monologues about the value of life and the purpose of existence. He philosophically engages with the meaning of life, which almost makes it seem as if he is unmoved by his father’s death.

The scenes involving the gravediggers and Hamlet are also crucial to this theme. Hamlet’s fascination with the skull and his lament about his lost friend, Yorick, are reminders of how death is a fair equalizer.