Thursday, March 29, 2012
We met Hamlet in I.ii today, and immediately, we are forced to make an assumption about his character. In this scene, he is dressed in black and has a melancholy air about him. His mother tells him to cheer up, and his uncle/father calls his grief "unmanly." But, what is your perception of Hamlet's mourning? Do you find it to be understandable, or do you side with Gertrude and Claudius?
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Hamlet's mourning is completely understandable. His father died a couple months ago, which is rarely enough time for a teenager to move on and return to normalcy. Furthermore, teenagers usually have the support of their other family members (who are also grieving), while Hamlet has seemingly had little to no assistance. Because Gertrude already remarried, he has not had adequate conditions to recover. Not only is he dealing with the loss of a father, but in a way he is dealing with parental separation. He mentions how true and real his parents’ love was (his dad even asked the wind to be careful around his mother), so the thought of his mom’s ability to move onto another husband already is both confusing and disturbing. It might even diminish the greatness of his parents’ relationship in his mind. Therefore, Hamlet should not be picked on for his mourning, but he should receive extra guidance. He is dealing with his father’s death and the end of an important aspect of his childhood.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Angie. His behavior at the moment is completely understandable. He is not in the right emotional state to act in the right way. He hasn't moved on. His father, King Hamlet, died not too long ago and he's still mourning his father's death. Also, his mother, Gertrude, marries his Uncle Claudius which is really disturbing. Gertrude didn't even comfort him, but instead she told him to move one because everybody dies at one point. She acted like everything was okay. Claudius acted the same way and picked on him also. Therefore, Hamlet has every right to be depressed/sad. They should give him time to deal with his own feelings so that when the time comes, he can be happy and move on.
ReplyDeleteI think that Hamlet mourning over the death of his father is very understandable. Hamlets father didn’t die too long ago so it is normal for him to still be hurt by it. I also think that Hamlet is hurt because he always believed that his parents were so good to each other and now he is confused because his mother has moved on from the death of her husband so quickly and is already with Claudius. I also don’t think it helps that Gertrude and Claudius are not respecting Hamlets feelings and they are making him feel as though he should be moved on already and he is unmanly for still mourning over his father’s death.
ReplyDeleteI believe that what Hamlet is going through is completely reasonable. His father died not very long ago and he’s outraged that his mother could do such a horrible thing and marry her brother in law. Hamlet feels that no one can ever replace his father. His uncle needs to understand what Hamlet is going through, he should at least try and be a good father to him. Also his mother tells him to stop wearing black clothes and to stop being so emotional about it. He responds by saying that these black clothes are hinting at all the grief he has built up inside him. His mother doesn’t even comfort him. Maybe if he had someone that actually cared about what he was going through, he wouldn’t be so depressed. Also Hamlet is contemplating suicide. He’s young and still developing the idea that death happens to everyone. He just needs some time to let go of it. I’m sure we’ve all lost someone really close to us and that we needed time to get over it, so we can sort of relate to how Hamlet is feeling at the moment.
ReplyDeleteHamlet's mourning over his dads death is very reasonable. Any person needs to take their own time over trying to get over deaths. It had only been two months since his father had died and his mother had already got married to his fathers brother! It takes time for people to mourn over a loss and he is just thrown into a brand new lifestyle and the fact that no one is giving him time to adjust to it he is just shutting down. Nobody is allowing him to heal and keep accusing him of being a sissy because he shouldn't still be upset over this since two months in Shakespeare's plays is like 2 years. No one should rush Hamlet in trying to get over his father dying because its not fair.
ReplyDeleteHamlet is dressed like an emo and contemplating suicide and that is completely understandable. His father died only two months ago and his mother is marrying his Uncle, his father's brother. Gertrude tells him to stop acting sad and to stop dressing in black. Hamlet respondes by telling her that he can stop crying, stop wearing black, stop sighing and act happy but, that will not stop him from being depressed. I feel that Hamlet is completely justified in his depression....well, maybe not the suicide part.
ReplyDeleteAs stated above me, Hamlet's mourning over his father's death is completely understandable and his sarcasm and snide remarks towards his mother and her new lover is just as comprehensible. It is normal to mourn the death of a parent for at least a month, especially at Hamlet's tender age. It is apparent that Claudius and Gertrude are very unsympathetic people and the fact that they married so quickly after King Hamlet's death raises some suspicion. Personally, I feel bad that Hamlet is being ostracized at such a difficult moment in his life. Their comments towards him about staying home from college make his situation even worse, and it adds to my sympathy for him. Overall, I agree with Hamlet and believe that there's nothing wrong with him mourning for this long.
ReplyDeleteGrief over death is understandable no matter what your situation, but especially so for Hamlet because not only is he dealing with the death of his father at such a young age, he also must cope with his mother's remarriage to his uncle and the fact that neither relative seems to be very upset over the death of the king. I feel bad that Hamlet has no support from his family in relation to his grief. Normally in a situation like this a fmaily would come and grieve together, acting as a support system for one another. Hamlet is told he shouldn't be upset and forced to stay home with people who are making his grief worse.
ReplyDeleteI understand Hamlet's grief completely. His fathers death was sudden and to top it all off, his uncle married his mother. Neither seem too phased by the death of the king. I can see how this is devastating to Hamlet. Everyone is telling him to cheer up, but it's only been a few months. He should be able to have some time to mourn over his father. Everyone is being insensitive. Of course, everyone dies, but when it is someone close to you, it feels like the end of the world. There is nothing wrong with Hamlet's grief.
ReplyDeleteBoth Hamlets mourning and crude remarks to his uncle/father and mother are very understandable. After the death of someone close, it is only evident that the person will be upset.He has not only lost his father but is at a vulnerable age. Hamlet isnt older and has not lost many people. Therefore losing his father was devastating. This is completely understandable for a kid of his age to act this way. Many people grieve for months or even years about a death so devastating to them. I believe both Claudius and Gertrude were very harsh and unsympathetic with Hamlet. Everyone grieves differently and, for Hamlet, its apparent that he needs this time to recover from such a devastating loss which is not given to him by the king and queen. I think it is completely understandable for Hamlet to be acting the way he is.
ReplyDeleteHamlet's mourning over his fathers death is completely understandable. They way hamlet talked about his father, it seemed like they were very close. I know if I was in the same situation as Hamlet I would act the same way. Even though Hamlets sort of rude and sarcastic to Claudius, he deserves to be because he is calling Hamlet unmanly for being upset. I think since Hamlets Mother just got remarried it also made him more upset because he didn't want anyone to replace his dad, and also because he doesn't think that Gertrude and Claudius had the same love Gertrude and Hamlet did. Hamlet should be allowed time to recover from such a horrible loss, instead of being forced to hide his emotions.
ReplyDeleteI find that Hamlet's mourning over his father's death is very understandable. I was actually quite surprised that his mother was even telling him to cheer up when it was her husband that had died and she seemed to be completely over him. Hamlet was probably closer to his father than his mother because his mother did not seem like she was depressed by her husbands death and was a little mean to Hamlet. I'm sure that anyone who has lost someone close to them can relate to Hamlet's position and it seems almost cruel that his mother and uncle, who is now his new father, are telling him to stop being so depressed. People grieve over death in their own way, and there is no set time where they stop have to or will stop grieving. Especially because it was only two months after his father's death and he is grieving, Hamlet did not deserve to be yelled at by his mother and new father.
ReplyDeleteI honestly think that Gertrude's a bitch. She's being completely insensitive to her son's mourning. Hamlet lost someone who meant so much to him. The pain that comes with such loss is so devastating that Hamlet doesnt know how to deal with it, BESIDES mourning. Also it's crystal clear why Claudius wants Hamlet to stop mourning BUT WHY IS GERTRUDE BEING SO RIDICULOUS?!?!?!? SHE LOST HER HUSBAND AND IS CONSTANTLY SEEING HER SON UPSET AND CONTINUES TO DISGRACE HER LATE HUSBAND!!! I feel bad for Hamlet... Sorry for ranting
ReplyDeletelove the emotion here!
DeleteI feel Hamlet was just in mourning his father's death. A lot of sons have good relation with their father and I feel it would take a while, much longer than a month or so, to get over someone that close.
ReplyDeleteEveryone handles death differently, however, Hamlet is completely justified in acting in the way he did. When you lose someone that is such an important part of your life, you cannot simply move on in two short months. It is clear that Hamlet's relationship with his father was much closer than with his mother because if he had known his mother well enough, he would realize that she did not really love her husband the way he thought she did. If Claudius and Gertrude really cared about Hamlet, they would be much more sympathetic then they seem to be in the play so far. The fact that one of Hamlet's only support systems is gone may also contribute to the fact that he is grieving, because he is realizing that he is on his own- and even has his family against him.
ReplyDeleteHEY ALL! THROW SOME PERSONALITY INTO THESE RESPONSES!! THEY ALL SOUND GENERIC (except for Anthony's)...
ReplyDeleteI just have a lot of feelings...
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ReplyDeleteGertrude is one of the least sentimental characters I have come across in literature. She literally has had her husband killed, and a month later already is in bed with his brother. Then she demands that her son stop mourning the death of King Hamlet. Gertrude is blind to realize that Hamlet is also grieving the loss of his mother as he thinks she has totally betrayed him. He also has to come to terms with the fact that his uncle totally disrespected the late King Hamlet (his brother) by rushing into marriage with Gertrude. It is completely understandable that Hamlet is in such mourning. Not to mention he realizes that Denmark is "sick" and turning into a "prison" as soon as his father has passed.
ReplyDeleteI honestly hate Gertrude with all of my heart. Death of a loved one is one of my biggest fears, if not my biggest. King Hamlet was her husband, so I don't quite understand how she can be over his death so quickly! Did she not love him?! Either that or she's heartless. Hamlet's uncle grew up with King Hamlet, so how could he just accept the fact that he's passed and be over it so quickly?! It's so rude for them to judge Hamlet and tell him how he should be acting, when in reality, he seems like the only one with a soul. If I were Hamlet, I'm sure I wouldn't even be as strong as he is, so I completely understand his mourning and do not blame him at all.
ReplyDeleteLisa
love the personal connection here!
DeleteI think that the state that Hamlet is currently in at the beginning of the play is totally justified. He is very upset that his father is gone and it seems like nobody cares. With the death of his father and his mom and his uncle constantly on his case about forgetting the past and moving on, who wouldn't be suicidal? I feel like both his mother and his uncle are being very insensitive to his feelings. I wouldn't even begin to be able to contemplate losing a parent and as much as they are annoying, life without parents would be rough. The point is made at one point that death is a natural passage, but when you lose someone close to you emotions overpower rational thinking.
ReplyDeletePlaying devils advocate here, but Hamlet could stand to be somewhat useful in his grief. I'm not saying that Gertrude and Claudius are being reasonable, but what would the late King Hamlet, valiant warrior and ruler of Denmark, think of his son moping around and throwing his life away? He could be bringing glory to the royal line of his father by stepping up to the plate and bouncing back. His country is facing imminent war. Go out to battle and show that while King Hamlet is dead, his legacy did not die with him. It lives on in his son.
ReplyDeleteSo true! Excellent response!
DeleteI believe that it is completely acceptable for Hamlet to mourn the loss of his father; he has the right to express his emotion in any way he would prefer. Hamlet has also watched his mother marry his uncle very shortly after the unfortunate death. The amount of time in between the death and wedding is clearly not enought time to even consider "moving on" let alone marrying. Gertrude adn Claudius do not personally see the sadness or agree with the mourning process. They fail to understand that each person handles death differently depending upon the person. The two speak and act insensitively toward Hamlet as if he must feel and show no emotion. From this he understands that his mother and uncle are very cold and careless people. This worsens his mood and is viewed as an additional problem that he must have to deal with.
ReplyDeleteI think it is fine that Hamlet is greiving the loss of his father. He is being told to "man-up" and stop being so depressed because "everyones parents die", but he has the right to be upset, especially after his mother remarried his uncle so quickly after his father died. If I were Hamlet I would be upset with my mother because it is almost as if she is just never loved the King to be able to move on so quickly. I dont think Gertrude and Claudius understand what Hamlet is going through because they are not going through it themselves. They are not able to sympathize to Hamlet.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Claudius and Gertrude married only two months after the death of King Hamlet shows that they are the unreasonable ones. In order to heal from the loss of a loved one, there is an awful amount of mourning involved. I believe that young Hamlet's "unmanly" grief isn't just teenage angst, but rather properly mourning the death of his father.... HIS FATHER. When your pet cat dies I can totally justify your parents telling you to suck it up and get over it, but I cannot even fathom being told to do that when you just lost your father, and your mother just married your uncle. Obviously, Claudius and Gertrude were somewhat involved in the death of King Hamlet because of how quickly they're brushing over the death. Hamlet's state of extreme grief is completely justified, while Claudius and Gertrude are acting completely insensitive.
ReplyDeleteI understand Hamlet's mourning, he just lost his father and his mom has already remarried. I see how he's upset and the reasons he has to be upset and mourn. I don't agree with Claudius saying that his grief is unmanly because Hamlets entitled to be upset after his father dies. I feel that Claudius and Gertrude should try to be more understanding instead of condemning him for grieving.
ReplyDeleteI side with Hamlet and allowing him to mourn. His father just died a couple months before and his mother remarried recently to his own uncle. This could be and is a shock to a teenagers life, which would need time to heal. It's as if Claudius is trying to rush past everything and make sure he has control of the situation, and Gertrude is kind of there like a shadow. She will agree and do what Claudius does. In this whole situation it is fine for Hamlet to mourn over the past events and in my opinion, Gertrude and Claudius are wrong with telling Hamlet it is "unmanly" to mourn.
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ReplyDeleteErik Helmle
ReplyDeleteI find his grief to be understandable up to a point. If his father died only a month or so ago, then I could understand his depressed mood. However, if it was 3 or more months after the fact, he should at least show signs of moving on or recovery of some kind. I wouldn't find it exactly "unmanly" to still be grieving, but he should seriously try to consider moving on at this point.
I believe that Hamlet's mourning is completely justifiable. In all fairness, his father did just die a couple months ago and it is perfectly normal to still be sad about it. I do not think that there is anything wrong with this, but I do think that there is something awfully wrong with the way Gertrude and Claudius deal with the situation. They make Hamlet out to be some kind of "sissy" because he is still mourning over the death of his father. Considering the death is still so recent, I would say the behavior of Gertrude and Claudius are awful. Being Hamlet's uncle and mother, it is discussing how they want to marry each other especially after the death of a family member. Throughout this scene we were able to see a warm-hearted and caring side to the character of Hamlet and a cold-hearted side to the other two.
ReplyDeleteHamlet's mourning is completely justifiable. Not only has he lost his father very recently, but his mother has married his uncle; thereby flipping his entire world upside down. This is only aggravated when Claudius tell him to "man up," when Claudius is in no position to reprimand Hamlet. This does however bring light to a caring and loving side to Hamlet, and ultimately foils his other family members.
ReplyDeleteI think that young Hamlet's grief is perfectly understandable. As if it were not enough that he must cope with the death of his beloved father, he must also watch his mother remarry only a very short time later. This alone is enough reason for Hamlet to be cantankerous. To make matters worse, his mother's new husband just happens to be his own uncle, Claudius. It is safe to say that Hamlet's depressed and melancholy state is clearly warranted by these circumstances.
ReplyDeleteI think that hamlets’ mourning is completely understandable. It is hard for a teenager to experience any kind of death and losing a father is terrible. The fact that his mother remarried so quickly defiantly made hamlet want to grieve longer. It seems as though Hamlet is maybe trying to compensate for the grief his mother isn’t feeling for her deceased husband.
ReplyDeleteI feel that everyone mourns the death of a loved one in his or her own way and at his or her own rate. Although Hamlet seems to be more emotionally distraught than his mother, Queen Gertrude, over his father’s death I feel it is completely reasonable. Losing a parent a young age is something I would think everyone fears and to have to go through it at such a young age is entirely a whole different obstacle to overcome. I feel that since his mother has seemed to have moved on so quickly Hamlet may feel he has no one that relates to how he is feeling. Plus the remarks his mother and once uncle, but now new stepfather are making in regards to him could be making the challenge of his accepting the death of his father harder. Overall most people could relate to how Hamlet is feeling and this could be a technique Shakespeare has used to so we feel sympathy towards his character.
ReplyDeleteI understand Hamlet's inability to overcome his father's death but I feel he's dragged out the mourning a bit too long. His mother's quick acceptance of his father's death and remarrying his brother with no hesitation is what I believe set Titus into the extended period of mourning. Hamlet needs to move past this and focus on gaining more respect from his mother and new stepfather. Depending how old Hamlet really is affects the situation in that he may be too young to understand and accept death, especially with the harsh words and lack of comfort he receives from his mother.
ReplyDeletei think that his mother and "father" need to cut hamlet a little bit of slack. Yeah he is suppose to be "manly" because he was the kings son, but losing someone you care about is never easy. Just because Gertrude can quickly move on doesnt mean Hamlet should get judged because he can't. Instead of helping the situation his mother remarrying(especially to his uncle) doesnt help at all!! Hamlet does kinda overexaggerate with the whole killing himself thing too, but i know i would be upset if my father died and no one seemed to care.
ReplyDeleteOk, so I agree with everyone above me, Hamlets mourning for his father is normal. People mourn family members in all kinds of way, and Hamlet's method of mourning his father is typical even to today's standards. For Gertrude and Claudius to rush Hamlet out of his mournful state is inexcusable! Here's this young man wanting to give his father the respect he deserves by mourning him for the allotted time Hamlet sees fit, and his mother and uncle are being extremely rude and unkind.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do find Hamlet's suicide talk a little on the dramatic side, he's young and rich, so he's got a lot going for him. Also, beside the death of his father, what is also making Hamlet miserable is his mom marrying his uncle, and his uncle trying to act like a father to him, so why would he want to stick around and stay home? Just because they asked you to? This is still unclear to me because I don't understand why he would want to stick around the castle, because doing that will just make him more miserable.
So in all, I think Hamlet shouldn't be bothered with his mourning, but I think he doesn't have to be so dramatic about it because of that fact that he has the opportunity to just leave and go back to school.
Sometimes it is easier said than done. Telling someone to cheer up won't take away their pain. The recent death of Hamlet's father is getting to him, and this is totally understandable. Hamlet feels very distraught and believes the way he feels should reflect the way he dresses. This causes him to wear black clothing. Although that is irrational, losing a father figure is not easy to cope with. Lonesome is taking over Hamlet, just like it might have took over his mother Gertrude. Gertrude seemed to cheer up quickly and has already remarried. I also disagree with Claudius because everyone has different feelings and handles their hardships differently. That does not make him "unmanly", it makes him a human being. Claudius is being ignorant to Hamlet's feelings and suggests Hamlet to see him as a father figure. I feel bad for Hamlet because he doesn't seem to have the best support system and he wishes he would die. Going back to school will put ease on Hamlet.
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