Characterization in Hamlet

In William Shakespeare's tragedy, "Hamlet," the main guy, Hamlet himself, is often seen as one of the most layered and fascinating characters in literature. Over the course of the play, he changes a lot, showing different sides of himself that make him a well-rounded character. So how does Hamlet come off as such a round character? By diving into his soliloquies, relationships, and actions, it's clear that Hamlet has a complex nature that adds depth to how he's portrayed. This essay is gonna dig into why Hamlet is such a round character and how his many layers push the story forward and keep us hooked.

The Soliloquies: Insights into Hamlet's Mind

One big way we see Hamlet as a round character is through his soliloquies. These are like peeks into his head, letting us in on what he's really thinking and feeling. Take his famous "To be or not to be" speech — here, he’s mulling over life and death, wrestling with big existential questions that show just how deep and thoughtful he is. Through these monologues, Hamlet reveals his introspective nature, showcasing just how complicated he really is.

Plus, these speeches also highlight his inner struggles and indecisiveness. Like in Act 3, Scene 1, when he's weighing the moral costs of revenge. Should he just suffer quietly or take action? This shows off the complexity of his character as he juggles conflicting emotions and moral dilemmas. His soliloquies give us a window into his psyche, helping us understand all the turmoil going on inside.

Relationships: Hamlet's Interactions with Others

Apart from soliloquies, it's also Hamlet’s relationships that add to his depth. How he deals with folks like his mom Gertrude and love interest Ophelia gives us more insight into his complex nature.

His relationship with Gertrude is super tense and full of mixed feelings. He’s ticked at her for marrying so fast after his dad died but still shows deep care for her wellbeing. In Act 3, Scene 4, during their confrontation, he lays out his disappointment but also pleads for her to repent and save herself. This mix of emotions towards Gertrude showcases how multi-layered Hamlet is as he tries to balance love with anger.

Similarly, things with Ophelia aren’t straightforward either. Sometimes he's all lovey-dovey but then turns cold in Act 3, Scene 1 by saying “I did love you once.” That shift maybe reflects how let down he feels about women or trust issues overall. His changing emotions towards Ophelia show his internal conflicts and add even more depth to who he is — making him seem more relatable and human.

Actions: Hamlet's Choices and Consequences

Hamlet’s actions throughout the play underline how rounded out he really is too. Like when he pretends to be crazy — it’s pretty clever! By acting nuts, he watches what everyone else does without raising suspicion while planning revenge for his dad’s murder.

But then again... sometimes what he says doesn't match what he does! In Act 2, Scene 2 talking to Rosencrantz & Guildenstern saying he's "but mad north-north-west," implying they can't fool him easily... yet later Claudius pulls one over on him anyway! These contradictions between words versus deeds make him deeper by highlighting flaws & vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

So wrapping up here — no doubt about it; Hamlet definitely fits being called a round character seen via soliloquies showing conflicted thoughts/emotions allowing audiences insight into inner battles faced alongside relationships showcasing further multidimensionality grappling mixed feelings navigating complicated dynamics lastly actions revealing flaws/vulnerabilities adding realism engaging viewers more nuanced exploration humanity itself ultimately boosting its impact/relevance today!

Bibliography

• Shakespeare W., "Hamlet". Edited by Barbara A Mowat & Paul Werstine Simon & Schuster Paperbacks (2011)
• Crawford J.W., "Understanding Shakespearean Tragedy." London Press (2015)
• Morris L., "The Complexities Of Characterization In 'Hamlet'." Drama Studies Journal (2020)
• Knight G.W., "The Wheel Of Fire: Interpretations Of Shakespearean Tragedy" OUP Oxford Reprints edition(2008)