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William Shakespeare's Use Of Ethos In The Tragedy Of Hamlet

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“Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the stings and arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles.” (Act 3 Scene 1 Line 57-59). In William Shakespeare’s play, “The Tragedy of Hamlet”, Shakespeare’s vindictive and psychopathic ethos allows the reader to have an introspective view on the “socially acceptable.” The play adheres to shocking subjects and themes that push society’s standards. During the English Romantic period, William Shakespeare’s sentimentality in the topics of family dynamics, mental illness, and revenge transformed his plays; despite, the contrasting ideals of the protestant church and the Elizabethan era. Subsequently, William Shakespeare was one of the few playwrights to incorporate the use of …show more content…

Prince Hamlet of Denmark, quarrels his personal demons along with the demons due to the death of his father. Since the remarriage of his mother, Hamlet pledged loyalty to his father. However, conflict soon arises with his new step-father and uncle, Claudius. Despite being married to his mother, (Prince) Hamlet repudiates Claudius’ wish to call him his son (Mitchell 40). Hamlet stands by the belief that he will only have one father. Disgusted by his mother’s hasty marriage to her late husband’s brother, Hamlet often undermines their authority. While Hamlet distancing himself from his family, Claudius attempts to reach out to his son-nephew by attempting to call him his “son”. Yet despite the fact he attempts to call him his “son”, Claudius secretly plots Hamlet’s assassination (Mitchell 40). The main conflict arises due to their relationship with Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother. The two seem to be constantly in competition …show more content…

King Hamlet roams the castle until he speaks with his son and tells him how he met his death. Prince Hamlet is then given the task of seeking revenge on his father’s killer, Claudius, and exposing him. Hamlet is then taken to fulfilling this task as an act of loyalty to his father. Hamlet is then filled with mix emotions due his hesitation in killing the murder. Hamlet is given an opportunity to kill Claudius but decides to wait for a better one. During his initial chance to murder Claudius, Hamlet discovered him praying and so no justice for his father is he went to heaven. Hamlet awaits a better opportunity to assure “That his soul may be as damned and black as hell” (Act 3. Scene 3. Line 94-95). Hamlet is so consumed in his revenge plot that he begins to become his own enemy (McMillin, 275). His behavior becomes erratic as he devotes himself in plotting his revenge that his friends and family become concerned with his well-being. When Hamlet finally moves towards a solid act of revenge, he assures he can justify his

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