Carl Jung once stated that a complex personality was a fixation primarily on a set of ideas. Complex individual is curious, imaginative, and intelligent because they always think outside the box. They wonder and ponder all nuances of every question; hence they are associated with creativity before they respond to a particular issue. William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet is an introspective play that reveals the complexity of the human condition through its characterization, use of themes, and tone.
Shakespeare conveys the complexity of human beings to readers through the construction of his characters, such as Hamlet. For instance, Hamlet believes that something in the kingdom might be rotten, and it is his moral duty to resolve the issue. He starts to grapple primarily with the molarity and nature of humanity following a serious confrontation with a ghost. He thinks, “All is not well. I doubt some foul play!” (Shakespeare, 1904). Hamlet understands what he must do but considering his nature as an introspective young man; he delays as he continues to evaluate the fate and judgment of his father’s killer.
Another character Shakespeare uses to demonstrate the complexity of human nature is King Claudius. After killing his brother, he reveals his selfish nature and inherits his wife. He confesses, “A brother’s murder. Pray can I not, Though the inclination is as sharp as will. My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent.” (Shakespeare, 1904). It shows sheer greed considering that the king was a noble individual who never deserved murder. Shakespeare highlights the greedy nature of humans who can do anything to acquire their ambitions showing how people are narcissistic.
Moreover, one of the significant themes showing the complexity of human nature is justice. For instance, to seek justice for his father, Hamlet becomes reckless and confused, especially in making a decision. His erratic behaviors make him feign madness primarily to escape life’s realities. He hides his true intentions in searching for his father’s murderer, especially after he hired a company of players to perform a drama (Paduano, 2018). Hamlet did not make hasty decisions for fear that he might be seriously mistaken about king Claudius being his father’s murderer.
Another theme showing complexity of the human condition is the doubt theme. For instance, Hamlet lacks self-belief, and in that case, he effectively thinks before acting as if he had a constant war in his mind. Hamlet was not even sure that he was the one to execute the justice. Throughout the text, he is not sure whether his mother was a failure or whether he truly was insane, whereby he starts questioning everything around him.
The tone used in this context also reveals the complexity of human nature. Shakespeare used a sad tone whereby the ghost had just reminded Hamlet that he had lost his father and that his spirit was still seeking justice. He is full of melancholy and weakness, although he does not portray harshness in nature (Bloom & Foster, 2009). At one point, he even thought that suicide was the way out. This pointed to the growing complexity of Hamlet’s condition. The use of tone in the book issues a dark and deep human condition whereby it is not easy to decide without various considerations.
In conclusion, the weight of the evidence suggests that individuals live in a complex system with complex features. William Shakespeare reveals the complexity of the human condition in Hamlet through literary elements. The evidence presented in this essay suggests that the complexity of human life is an upshot of a continued effort towards excellence whereby achievements are not easily attained. This is a call to individuals to weigh all possibilities when making a decision and avoid stress to get the better side of them.
References
Bloom, H., & Foster, B. (Eds.). (2009). Hamlet. Infobase Publishing. http://ommolketab.ir/aaf-lib/dff78pokgg2br6w2qqn2itgbmj5goe.pdf
Paduano, G. (2018). Is Hamlet’s Madness True or Faked? Skenè. Journal of Theatre and Drama Studies, 4(1). https://skenejournal.skeneproject.it/index.php/JTDS/article/download/163/141
Shakespeare, W. (1904). The tragedy of Hamlet. Folger Shakespeare Library. https://shakespeare.folger.edu/downloads/pdf/hamlet_PDF_FolgerShakespeare.pdf