Hamlet: An Instrument of Life - Hamlets Contribution To the Play :: Shakespeare Hamlet Essays

Hamlet An Instrument of Life - Hamlets Contribution To the Play          Samuel Johnson writes Hamlet is through the darn rather an instrumentthan an agent. This statement is true, it is exhibited in several ways. Themanner in which Hamlets father manifests himself is an indication of his trueintentions. Hamlet acts as an earthly means of revenge, he is the output foractions directed by a mortal being. Inner weakness has riddled Hamlets life, itruns rampant in his decisions, or lack of, and has plagued his fate. Hisinability to overcome insecurity, procrastination, and an over analytical mindcontribute, overwhelmingly, to his downfall. Hamlet allows negative characterattributes to steer his life, the point being, He is an instrument of his ownindecision, which spawned from flaws within his character. Establishing Hamletssanity is a difficult task. Its stability in his life is questionable, but hiscontemplation of madness has left him vulnerable to its control. This controlhas led Hamlet to act outside of character and in an exceedingly peculiar fashion.Hamlet is an instrument of his father, his own self, and of sanity.         The appearances of the Ghost, although sporadic, do not come withoutmeaning. Hamlet Senior, arguably, is one of Shakespeares finest creations. Thecharacter was molded using the Elizabethan view on death and apparitions. Suchbelief stated hauntings had a communication value that was used to seek resolvein unfinished business. The basis for Hamlet Seniors haywire visits should besought. Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. (Shakespeare, William.Hamlet. United kingdom Longman Group UK Limited, 1995. Act One, Scene Five, ll29.) The above quotation provides insight into the Ghosts purpose. Hamlet is adevice that is readily available for use, he is the bridge between death,vengeance, and reality. Hamlet  had been already effected by the marriage of hisUncle, Claudi us, to his Mother, but the factor that remains probable for Hamletseventual downfall is the involvement of the apparition. To classify Hamlet asan instrument of his father is not farfetched. His obsession with life and itshappenings cannot be attributed to his madness, the revenge that coursed throughHamlets veins provided a platform for his antic disposition to finally be laidout. One must not lose sight of the fact that Hamlets vengeance was spurred byhis father, hence making him a tool of Hamlet Seniors involvement and wishes.         Flaws in character have also proven to be costly for Hamlet. Instead ofrelying on peremptory characteristics, Hamlet emphasizes weakness in will,procrastination, and indecision. He seems incapable of deliberate action, and