Internal
Hamlet vs. Himself
Hamlet’s internal struggle is primarily characterized by his inability to carry out the task assigned to him by his father’s ghost. In relation to the theme of thought versus action, Hamlet’s complex thoughts and emotions keep him from killing Claudius far earlier in the play, an action that would likely have prevented the calamity that occurred at the play’s end. Hamlet’s inability to complete his task in contrast to Laertes’s resolved and uninhibited action leads him to a state of constant self-deprecation. He also struggles internally with his love for his mother and his disgust for her incestuous actions. Similarly, he struggles with his love for Ophelia and her choice to aid her father in spying on him.
Hamlet’s internal struggle is primarily characterized by his inability to carry out the task assigned to him by his father’s ghost. In relation to the theme of thought versus action, Hamlet’s complex thoughts and emotions keep him from killing Claudius far earlier in the play, an action that would likely have prevented the calamity that occurred at the play’s end. Hamlet’s inability to complete his task in contrast to Laertes’s resolved and uninhibited action leads him to a state of constant self-deprecation. He also struggles internally with his love for his mother and his disgust for her incestuous actions. Similarly, he struggles with his love for Ophelia and her choice to aid her father in spying on him.
External
Hamlet vs. Claudius
Hamlet dislikes Claudius because he took the throne and married his mother so soon after his father’s death without a proper mourning period. But, after being told by Old Hamlet that Claudius murdered the rightful king, Hamlet becomes enraged and accepts the task of murdering Claudius. Claudius is suspicious of Hamlet and his “madness”. He suspects Hamlet may know something. He arranges to have Hamlet spied on, and eventually tries to have him killed.
Hamlet dislikes Claudius because he took the throne and married his mother so soon after his father’s death without a proper mourning period. But, after being told by Old Hamlet that Claudius murdered the rightful king, Hamlet becomes enraged and accepts the task of murdering Claudius. Claudius is suspicious of Hamlet and his “madness”. He suspects Hamlet may know something. He arranges to have Hamlet spied on, and eventually tries to have him killed.
Hamlet vs. Gertrude
Hamlet despises the fact that his mother married Claudius so soon after his father’s death without a proper mourning period. He refers to their incestuous sheets and calls her several disparaging names. Gertrude is torn between love for her son and loyalty for Claudius. She seems to betray her son by often siding with Claudius.
Hamlet despises the fact that his mother married Claudius so soon after his father’s death without a proper mourning period. He refers to their incestuous sheets and calls her several disparaging names. Gertrude is torn between love for her son and loyalty for Claudius. She seems to betray her son by often siding with Claudius.
Hamlet vs. Ophelia
Hamlet loves Ophelia but is angered by the fact that she acts as a spy for her father at his request. Ophelia loves Hamlet, but is willing to betray him for her father's sake. She can’t help but be upset once Hamlet rejects ever having love for her.
Hamlet loves Ophelia but is angered by the fact that she acts as a spy for her father at his request. Ophelia loves Hamlet, but is willing to betray him for her father's sake. She can’t help but be upset once Hamlet rejects ever having love for her.
Hamlet vs. Polonius
Hamlet takes issue with Polonius’s constant spying on his affairs and his manipulation of his friends to accomplish it. He also dislikes and humorously reveals Polonius’s constant appeasement and empty rhetoric.
Hamlet takes issue with Polonius’s constant spying on his affairs and his manipulation of his friends to accomplish it. He also dislikes and humorously reveals Polonius’s constant appeasement and empty rhetoric.
Laertes vs. Hamlet
Laertes is vexed by the death of his sister and initially directs his anger at her death toward Claudius. Claudius redirects that anger toward Hamlet. Laertes then resolves to kill Hamlet. Prior to this turn in the plot, Hamlet is jealous of Laertes’s decisive action in contrast to his inability to carry out his task.
Laertes is vexed by the death of his sister and initially directs his anger at her death toward Claudius. Claudius redirects that anger toward Hamlet. Laertes then resolves to kill Hamlet. Prior to this turn in the plot, Hamlet is jealous of Laertes’s decisive action in contrast to his inability to carry out his task.
Old Hamlet vs. Claudius
Old Hamlet’s ghost is vexed by Claudius because Claudius was the one who killed him. Old Hamlet tasks young Hamlet with murdering Claudius to avenge his death.
Old Hamlet’s ghost is vexed by Claudius because Claudius was the one who killed him. Old Hamlet tasks young Hamlet with murdering Claudius to avenge his death.