Anti Heroism In Hamlet Essay, Research Paper

Antiheroism In Hamlet

Antiheroism has always been an interesting aspect of a

character that authors have chosen to illustrate. In

literature, there has been countless antiheroic characters,

from Randle McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s

Nest and Allie Fox in The Mosquito Coast, to others as

famous as Robin Hood and … By literary definition, an

antihero is the “hero” of the play or novel, but has

negative attributes which separate him or her from the

classic hero such as Superman. Such negative aspects

may include a violent nature, use of coarse language, or

self serving interests which may inadvertently depict the

protagonist as a hero since the result of serving those

interests may be the betterment of society or an

environment. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the

protagonist, Hamlet, is depicted as an antihero. One main

factor which gives Hamlet such a label is that he draws

sympathy, as well as admiration, from the reader since

Hamlet feels the pain of losing his father along with the

burden and obstacles in avenging his murder. Act four

places a special emphasis on Hamlet’s intelligence. In

scene two, Hamlet is very insolent and rude towards

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with such phrases as, That

I can keep your counsel and not, mine own. Beside, to

be demanded of a sponge, what replication should be

made by the son of a king? (IV, ii, 12-14) The reference

to the sponge reflects the fact that Rosencrantz and

Guildenstern are easily ordered by the king and do not

have minds of their own. Hamlet does not like

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern since they are servants of

the Claudius, Hamlet’s mortal enemy. The reader does

not like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern either which

causes the reader to side with Hamlet.

Another incident of Hamlet’s high intelligence is shown

when he Hamlet tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, I am

glad of it: a knavish sleeps in a foolish ear. (IV, ii, 24-25)

This statement leaves Rosencrantz and Guildenstern more

or less confused. Hamlet is clearly more clever than the

two of them combined and is able to toy with

them.Hamlet has an excellent command of the language

and because of it, can use words to the point that those

around him will not understand and may label him as

crazy. Hamlet shows another example of his cleverness,

this time towards Claudius, when he says, I see a cherub

that sees them. But, come; for England! Farewell, dear

mother. (IV, iii, 49-50) The cherub, or the angel, gives

Hamlet a sense of superiority over Claudius. Having an

angel at one’s side would be a definite sign of power,

which is exactly what Hamlet tries to maintain over

Claudius in their constant power struggle. Just when

Claudius thinks he controls Hamlet, it is really Hamlet

who has the upper hand over Claudius.

There are very strong philosophical references made by

Hamlet in this act regarding life and death. Hamlet tells

Claudius, Your worm is your only emperor for diet: we

fat all creatures else to fat us, and we fat ourselves for

maggots: your fat king and your lean beggar is but

variable service, two dishes, but to one table: that’s the

end. (IV, iii, 21-26) This statement id a reference to the

food chain, and in turn, a reflection on the meaning of life.

It illustrates the equality of men in that whether one is

born to be a king or a beggar, when one dies, we are all

equal. Worms and maggots do not treat anybody

differently once one is dead and buried.

The final scene draws the greatest sympathy towards

Hamlet even though he is not even in the scene. The

forces of Claudius and Laertes have combined against

Hamlet. Claudius states, To an exploit now ripe in my

device, Under the which he shall not choose but fall, And

for his death no wind of blame shall breathe; But even his

mother shall unchange the practice, And call it accident.

(IV, vii, 65-69) Claudius is willing to undertake any

measures necessary to eliminate Hamlet, to the point that

it does not matter whether or not it hurts Gertrude in any

way. This scene depicts Hamlet as the victim, much like

two bullies picking on a smaller child in school, since the

king, with the aid of Laertes, is out to kill Hamlet, this

time with a passion. Much like a political revolutionary,

Hamlet has the system against him and is facing death

because of his loyalty and honour towards his father.

The fact that Hamlet’s life is not indeed in jeopardy

attributes to his “hero” status. In addition, his only fault is

the desire to avenge his father’s murder, an act

considered completely honourable by the reader.

However, Hamlet’s negative attributes include his

rudeness towards others, including the fair Ophelia, and a

violent nature as shown when he kills Polonius, albeit

accidently, and shows no remorse, causing a

reclassification from the classic hero, to the more

ap