“We Who Are Hamlet”

Lyubov Kushtova

“We who are Hamlet”

In books, there is always that hero, the person that grabs your attention and captures your heart with their heroic actions. Perhaps it is the idea of someone to look up to that keeps our interest. Perhaps it is the fact that these “heroes” are hard to find in real life. Reading Hamlet, I was introduced to a main character with all his flaws, insecurities, doubts, and uncertainties. Hamlet, a character having traits far from the ideal factors of role models and heroes. Yet, that is what made him come alive, jumping off the lengthy pages filled with Shakespearian words in the famous play, Hamlet.

Before taking steps in my life, no matter how important or insignificant the decision may be, I am pursued by doubt. Everyone is faced with uncertainties when facing a tough decision until they finally weigh out all factors and move forward. Throughout the entire play, Hamlet is filled with hesitations and I found myself wondering whether I would make the moves he didn’t make in his place. My answer always ended up being “no”. I could see each scene through Hamlet’s eyes, feel his anger, understand his thoughts, value his opinions. He had his faults, yet that is what made him more human and easy to relate to. Just as he hesitated to kill Claudius when opportunities rose and questioned his actions, I hesitate before making decisions in my life. Although, Shakespeare magnifies the character’s qualities and the events in his plays, these traits can be found in absolutely everyone. Hamlet’s traits are parts of all of us simply magnified in one person.

Humans are prone to uncertainty. The theme of indecision kept reappearing throughout the play and it shows readers that uncertainties often lead our lives and alter our actions. Hamlet hesitated with killing Claudius while he was praying, doubted the Ghost’s motives, and questioned whether his actions are on the right path. This portrays the indecisiveness that merely...