The novel “Hamnet” by Maggie O’Farrell explores the theme of grief and loss through the eyes of the characters who suffer the death of the young Hamnet, son of William Shakespeare. In the book, we can observe how each character deals with their grief differently as they go through different stages of mourning and try to cope with the devastating loss. One of the most striking aspects of the novel is how Hamnet’s death affects each family member differently. While all of them are overwhelmed by the tragedy, their reactions and coping mechanisms vary significantly. In this essay, we will examine the different ways the characters deal with their grief, focusing on the father, the mother, and the sister of the deceased child.
Firstly, we will analyze the father, William Shakespeare, portrayed as a distant and absent figure throughout the novel. O’Farrell describes how Shakespeare is consumed by his work and often leaves his family behind to pursue his career. However, when he learns of Hamnet’s death, he returns home to grieve with his family. The author uses Shakespeare’s perspective to illustrate how he struggles to come to terms with the loss of his son and how he deals with his grief.
At the beginning of the novel, Shakespeare is portrayed as a man who is emotionally disconnected from his family. When his wife, Agnes, tells him about their son’s illness, he is initially dismissive and more concerned with his work. However, as the gravity of the situation becomes clear, he is forced to confront his feelings of grief and loss. The author writes: “He feels his throat constrict, a sensation of pressure as if something is being forced down it. He hears a noise, a kind of strangulated cry, and it takes him a moment to realize that it’s coming from him.” (O’farrell, p. 62). This passage shows how Shakespeare is overwhelmed by his emotions, which he is not used to expressing. He experiences physical symptoms of grief, such as a tightening of the throat, which suggests that he struggles to accept his son’s death. However, despite his initial reaction, Shakespeare eventually becomes more engaged with his family and begins to grieve alongside them.
One of how Shakespeare deals with his grief is through his writing. The author portrays him as a man who is constantly working, and even in the midst of his grief, he cannot stop thinking about his work. However, his writing also becomes a way for him to process his emotions and express his grief. The author writes: “Words, he thinks, are the only things that last forever, the only things that truly resist the passage of time.” (O’farrell, p. 113). This passage shows how Shakespeare sees his writing as a way of preserving his son’s memory and immortalizing him through his work. He believes that words can capture the essence of a person and keep them alive long after they are gone. This suggests that writing becomes therapy for Shakespeare as he tries to deal with his grief and find a way to honour his son’s memory.
Secondly, we will examine the mother, Agnes, depicted as a powerful and intuitive figure throughout the novel. Agnes is a healer and a wise woman who deeply connects with nature and the spirits. She is portrayed as a loving and devoted mother devastated by her son’s loss. However, unlike Shakespeare, Agnes is more open with her emotions and expresses her grief in a more visible way.
At the beginning of the novel, Agnes is shown as a mother who is fiercely protective of her children. When Hamnet falls ill, she does everything in her power to save him, using her knowledge of herbs and magic to try to heal him. However, when she realizes that he is not going to recover, she is consumed by her grief. The author writes: “She begins to shake with a force that runs through her body, her limbs convulsing, her teeth chattering so loudly they make her headache.” (O’farrell, p. 103). This passage shows how Agnes is overwhelmed by her emotions, and her grief physically affects her body. She experiences a powerful physical reaction to the loss of her son, which suggests that she is struggling to cope with her feelings of sadness and despair.
However, despite her initial reaction, Agnes is also shown as a strong and resilient character who can find ways to cope with her grief. One of how she deals with her grief is through her connection with nature. The author portrays Agnes as someone who is deeply connected with the natural world and who finds solace in the beauty and power of the natural world. She spends time observing the plants and animals in the garden and finding comfort in their presence. The author writes: “She stands in the garden, looking at the sky, at the clouds, at the trees. The air smells of damp earth and new leaves. Birds sing in the branches.” (O’farrell, p. 178). This passage shows how Agnes finds peace and comfort in the natural world. She can connect with something bigger than herself, which helps her find perspective and solace amid her grief.
Finally, we will analyze the sister, Judith, who is depicted as a young girl struggling to understand and process her grief. Judith is only a few years older than her brother Hamnet, and they have a close bond. When Hamnet dies, Judith is devastated, and her reaction to his death is confused and angry.
At the beginning of the novel, Judith is shown as a typical young girl who is playful and curious. However, after her brother’s death, she becomes withdrawn and angry. She lashes out at her family members and refuses to accept the reality of her brother’s death. The author writes: “Judith feels her temper surge up inside her, a hot, bright, burning thing as if she has swallowed a coal. Why are they talking about him as if he’s gone? Why are they not doing anything to find him?” (O’farrell, p. 91). This passage shows how Judith struggles to accept the reality of her brother’s death. She cannot process her grief and confusion; instead, she directs her anger toward her family members.
However, as the novel progresses, Judith begins to come to terms with her grief and finds ways to cope with her loss. One of the ways in which she deals with her grief is through her art. The author portrays Judith as someone with a talent for drawing and who finds comfort in creating art. She spends time sketching and drawing, which helps her express her emotions and come to terms with her brother’s death. The author writes: “Judith fills the pages with sketches of faces, of people she has seen in the market, in the church, in the street. Sometimes she sketches her family, Agnes, her father, and herself.” (O’farrell p. 217). This passage shows how Judith finds solace in her art. She can express her feelings of grief and loss through her drawings, which helps her process her emotions and find a way to cope with her loss.
In conclusion, the novel “Hamnet” by Maggie O’Farrell explores the theme of grief and loss through the eyes of the characters who suffer the death of the young Hamnet. The author portrays how each character deals with their grief differently, showing the complex and unique ways individuals can experience and cope with loss. Hamnet’s death has a profound impact on his family, and the author shows how each family member is affected in their own way. William, Hamnet’s father, deals with his grief by throwing himself into his work, using his writing to cope with his loss. Agnes, Hamnet’s mother, is initially consumed by her grief but eventually finds solace in her connection with nature. Judith, Hamnet’s sister, struggles to understand and process her feelings of grief but eventually finds comfort in her art. The novel portrays grief as a complex and multi-faceted experience, with no right or wrong way to grieve. Each character’s journey through grief is unique, and the novel shows how grief can bring people together but can also tear them apart.
Works Cited
Autor: Maggie O’farrell. Hamnet. Editorial: Tinder Press, 2021.
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