Exploring The Theme of Challenges with Family Legacies in 'Hamlet'

It is intriguing that, many leaders don’t spend much time thinking about their legacy when ruling. Leaving a legacy is the most important thing that is left behind by a leader, he is considered nothing without it. In William Shakespeare's drama Hamlet the protagonist is very focused on changing the perception of the legacy his father left behind, let alone his own legacy. The tragedy in Hamlet’s life was caused by his fear of failing to retell his father’s legacy, and also fearing that his legacy will be depicted negatively. He is clearly obsessed with the ideal of leaving a positive outlook. Hamlet is on a mission to justify his father’s life through revenge. He puts himself on a quest to avenge his father's corrupted legacy but later finds himself building up his own.

Struggles With Father's Legacy and Identity Crisis

The theme of fear of failing to retell one's father's legacy exemplified through the character of Hamlet himself, whose internal struggle and existential crisis revolve around the burden of upholding his father's memory and seeking justice for his untimely death.

King Hamlet's death was reported to be caused by a snake bite, However, after his death, his ghost appeared to his son Hamlet telling him the truth that was fabricated. Ghost Hamlet declared that his brother Claudius came in while he was napping in his orchard to pour poison into his ear, causing him to die in his garden as a victim to his brother's perfidy. The whole country shifted from being a respectable environment led by a king that cared about his people to then be taken over by the envious brother that could care less about the people he now has to rule, and more about parties and what he can do now that he inherited so much wealth. The kingdom fell to his lack of responsibility and began to be looked at as a country with a reputation of being drunks. Hamlet realized this change, when coming back for his father's funeral to a country with no order, his mother marrying his uncle, and his father's hard work being forgotten. Hamlet puts a lot of energy towards carrying out his plan to avenge his father's death but fails to take vengeance on Claudius, getting away with murdering King Hamlet and replacing him as both a king and husband. With Hamlet loathing Claudius, Hamlet was driven to revenge.

Furthermore, Hamlet's fear of failing to retell his father's legacy is intertwined with a fear of personal inadequacy. He questions his own capabilities and doubts whether he possesses the strength and resolve necessary to carry out the task at hand. Hamlet's contemplative nature and tendency towards introspection contribute to his hesitancy and self-doubt, as he grapples with the moral implications and consequences of his actions. He is torn between the desire for justice and the fear of the unknown, which further complicates his ability to retell his father's legacy. The theme of the fear resonates throughout the play, as Hamlet's internal conflict intensifies. He is haunted by the memory of his father and the weight of his expectations, which ultimately leads to his emotional turmoil and descent into madness. Hamlet's fear of failing to fulfill his filial duty becomes entangled with his struggle for personal identity, contributing to the tragic trajectory of the play.

Conclusion

In conclusion, fear of failing to retell his father's legacy in Hamlet underscores the complex relationship between personal responsibility, familial expectations, and individual agency. It explores the profound impact that the weight of one's heritage and the fear of inadequacy can have on an individual's actions and psyche. Through Hamlet's journey, the play prompts audiences to reflect on the challenges of navigating familial legacies, the fear of failure, and the existential quest for personal and familial identity.

References 

1. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Edited by Ann Thompson and Neil Taylor, Bloomsbury Arden Shakespeare, 2006.

2. Bloom, Harold. Hamlet: Poem Unlimited. Riverhead Books, 2003.

3. Bradbrook, M. C. 'Hamlet: The Tragedy of Failure.' The Shakespearean Tragic Hero, edited by John Drakakis, Routledge, 2005, pp. 94-111.

4. Mack, Maynard. 'Hamlet and His Problems.' Yale Review, vol. 41, no. 1, 1951, pp. 502-523.

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5. Nuttall, A. D. 'Fear in Hamlet.' Hamlet: A Guide to the Play, edited by Michael Mangan, Penguin Books, 1996, pp. 105-114.