Suicide, in today’s society is seen as a dreadful tragedy that no human should resort to, and this outlook was no different in Shakespeare’s time. Shakespeare introduces the theme of suicide in Hamlet by emoting a dark, and vengeance filled side of Hamlet, which is constantly brought up as he contemplates the idea of suicide. Hamlet considers the benefits of leaving the miserable life he was given, for an unknown life with the dead. Although, Hamlet’s repetitive thoughts of death make us question his sanity, the bigger picture is the powerful message that Shakespeare delivers about suicide. Essentially, through the idea of suicide Shakespeare discloses how poorly suicide has been looked upon over the years as it was not only considered a mortal …show more content…
At this point, it’s obvious that Hamlet wants to commit suicide as he shows his disgust at having to pretend that everything is well and that he’s pleased that his uncle is now married to his mother. This is made apparent when Hamlet says, “Oh that this too sullied flesh would melt, That and resolve itself into a dew” (Act 1 Scene 2 Page 27). In other words, he wishes that his flesh would melt and he would cease to exist, but he explains that suicide isn’t an option as it’s a vast sin toward God. He states, “Or that the Everlasting had no fixed His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter” (Act 1 Scene 2 Page 27). This comes as a surprise as suicide wasn’t as popular or something often done in this time period, in fact it hasn’t been until recent that suicide rates have been increasing. A New York Times Article proves this, “Suicide in the United States has surged to the highest levels in nearly 30 years, a federal data analysis has found, with increases in every age group except older adults” (The New York Times) Besides the interesting dynamics of Hamlet’s character he is only limited to pondering about suicide and isn’t able to actually commit suicide because of his religious beliefs and respect towards God. This allows Shakespeare to continue developing Hamlet's suicidal thoughts by explaining his reasoning against the actual decision of self
In these lines Hamlet thinks of committing suicide, but realizes he would disobey God’s command. According to Andrew Foley, “Far from evincing an acceptance of death or a belief in its religious purpose, Hamlet continues instead to view life and death as sickening and pointless. Nor does Hamlet seem to have overcome the
The purpose of the Ted Talk was to inform and expose us to the knowledge of the Hero's Journey, in a way that explained how it worked. Mr. Solomon linked how our lives and the Hero’s Journey are very much alike. By doing this, he showed how everything linked together. His quote “You are the hero of your own journey.” was very important in how he made this connections.
The play is a tragedy and with Shakespeare plays there will be deaths at the end. This quote sums up the main idea in the story that the idea of suicide and death will always be around. Throughout our lives we will be faced with hard times just like Hamlet. It is definitely our choice if one chooses to commit suicide but there is always that thought of where suicide will lead to. The fact that religion has always been opposed to this type of behavior and has viewed it as a sin it makes the human mind hesitant to go through with the action.
When your back is against a wall and it seems that all hope is lost, do not give up. Because if you choose suicide, you will never live to see it get worse, however, you also pass up the chance to see life get better. Suicide is an important, recurring theme in William Shakespeare's, Hamlet, and it is a topic that Hamlet contemplates quite often throughout the play. Hamlet often goes back and forth between to be or not to be, but continues to believe that people although capable of suicide, choose to live. Hamlet is adamant that the unknown, the inconclusiveness of nobility, along with the sin attached to suicide is what ultimately keeps people from taking their own lives.
Hamlet has two main reasons for not committing suicide. Firstly, he believes that it is a major sin to kill oneself in Christianity, when he says “Or that the Everlasting had not fixed his canon ‘ganist self-slaughter!” (Shakespeare 1.2.135-136) He also does not commit suicide because “The undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns, puzzles the will and makes us rather bear those ills we have than fly to others that we know not of?”(Shakespeare 3.1.87-89) Even though Hamlet has gone through a tough time, he still chooses life over death, which an insane person may not always do. For example it is known that Ophelia has gone insane ever since the murder of her father, and she suddenly dies by drowning in a river. While it is not certain whether it was an accident or not, there are many signs that point towards it being suicide. On the other hand, Hamlet is able to steer clear of suicide which is another example of how he was not truly
Hamlet demonstrates strong feelings about suicide. His now famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy (lines 56-89, #1846-47), contains all of his thoughts and feelings toward suicide. Hamlet demonstrates here, that suicide may be more honorable than living in a world so twisted and evil. Hamlet also indicates his misunderstanding as to why more people do not take their own lives, he states, “To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them, To die, to sleep--No more--and by a sleep to say we end the heartache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to” (Act, Scene 1 56-63). At this point, Hamlet feels hopeless about everything that has been going on and feels like suicide it the only way out of everything.
Shakespeare had many playwright that he created one of his most famous was about Hamlet. Hamlet once said “And by opposing end them. To die, to sleep No more--and by a sleep to say we end” . To explain commit suicide is like sleeping and we can end any pain or difficulty we may have. Hamlet even stated that “The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune we must suffer,Or to take arms against a sea of troubles” .
Initially, Hamlet feels so overwhelmed by his mother and uncle’s sudden marriage, that he considers the possibility of suicide. Hamlet would rather his flesh to “melt, thaw, and resolve itself into a dew” (1. 2. 133-134) than to bear living with the incestuous nature of his mother and uncle’s marriage. He wants to just disappear and not have to deal with the conflicts he is facing.
In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, suicide is an important and continuous theme throughout the play. Hamlet is the main character who contemplates the thought of suicide many different times throughout the play, since the murder of his father. Hamlet weighs the advantages of leaving his miserable life with the living, for possibly a better but unknown life with the dead. Hamlet seriously contemplates suicide, but decides against it, mainly because it is a mortal sin against God. Hamlet continues to say that most of humanity would commit suicide and escape the hardships of life, but do not because they are unsure of what awaits them in the after life. Hamlet throughout the play is continually tormented by his fathers death and his
Based on the play of Hamlet by William Shakespeare, suicide is the most prevalent and important themes in Hamlet. Hamlet always asks himself for the reason to stay alive. Even though he always thinks that there is no reason for him to stay alive, however he always chooses to stay. The first reason Hamlet seems to contemplate suicide is because his life is contaminated by sins and revenge. The other reason he is thinking about suicide is because he is young and immature. Young adults usually look for escapes when they become angry with things. There are many instances where Hamlet contemplating suicide and he treats the idea of suicide morally, religiously, and aesthetically, with particular attention to Hamlet’s two important statements about suicide: the “O, that this too too solid flesh would melt” soliloquy (I.ii.129–158) and the “To be, or not to be” soliloquy (III.i.56–88).
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, suicide is treated differently on the aspects of religion, morals, and philosophical views. Suicide is the act of deliberately killing yourself in contrary to your own best interests. In today’s society suicide is highly looked down upon. But Shakespeare used suicide and violence in almost all of his most popular plays. Many of his tragedies used the element of suicide, some accomplished, others merely contemplated. Shakespeare used suicide as a dramatic device. A character’s suicide could promote a wide range of emotions: horror, condemnation to pity, and even respect. Some of his suicides could even take titles like the noble soldier, the violated woman, and star-crossed lovers. In Othello, Othello see suicide as
Hamlet’s biggest flaw is the incapability to commit suicide. As shown there are many signs. But he can’t do it for its wrong and a mortal sin in his religion. And he promised revenge for the ghost, who is suppose to be “King
To die, to sleep— No more—and by a sleep to say we end The heartache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to—’tis a consummation”(Fogler 127) I believe that Hamlet is contemplating suicide. Going through everything he has gone through he seems to be rationalizing between his options. This is something that can only be done with someone who is in
Hamlet continuously throughout the play not only self-deprecates himself, but he also talks about committing suicide and the reasons he has for and against it. Hamlet self-deprecates for multiple reasons consisting of: Claudius killing his father, Gertrude marrying her husband’s brother after his death, his complications with Ophelia, and his very own insanity. From Hamlet’s self-deprecating tendencies, it is evident that he is not only depressed, but suicidal. Hamlet has many things going on in his life, and to him, he doesn’t know if his life is even worth living. Hamlet states, “To be or not to be? That is the question…Be all sins remembered.” (3.1.57-91), meaning that Hamlet really couldn’t care less what happens anymore. Hamlet summarizes the pros and cons to suicide, and he questions what he should do. He does this because he has changed – primarily his personality – and the events occurring around him are
Hamlets contemplation of ending his life shows an inward conflict within himself. In his first soliloquy, he debates whether he should commit suicide. "To be, or not to be- / that is the question: / whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer/ the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / or to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing, end them" (3.1. lines 64-68 Shakespeare). He questions why he should live with all of this chaos but overcomes this internal conflict because he acknowledges that in his religion suicide is a sin. “O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt, / Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew, / or that the everlasting had not fixed His canon 'gainst (self-slaughter). O God! God!” (1.2. lines 133-136 Shakespeare). This soliloquy signifies the reality of Hamlet s internal conflict and also shows the reality of his external conflict with the society he is surrounded by. This declamation establishes