Hamlet: The Psychological Dimension of Language and Melancholy
Main Situation
Hamlet is the prince of Denmark, and studies in Wittenberg, Germany. During his absence from Denmark, his father died and his uncle Claudius succeeded to the throne. Hamlet returns to Denmark and is greatly upset. He is concerned about his mother's quick marriage, his uncle's sitting on the throne, and his own fate.
Character
The real psychological dimension of the play lies in Hamlet's use of language. He is the most talkative of all Shakespeare's characters. The most striking characteristic of Hamlet's language is its ambiguity. Everything he says is conveyed through metaphor, simile, and wordplay. His words have a hidden meaning, they have enormous affinities with the language of the unconscious which proceeds equally through various forms of distortion and alterations in meaning. He is the non-revenger in a revenge play, the non-heir to the throne, the non-lover of the heroine, the non-son to the non-father.
Melancholy
The death of his father and the hasty marriage of his mother - life changes its color and meaning - love is deprived of its spiritual side - a contagious disease spreads from man to the kingdom, from to the kingdom to the universe.
Claudius
He is Hamlet's uncle. He is guilty of killing the king, his own brother. He becomes Hamlet's stepfather when he hurriedly marries his mother Gertrude, whom he seems to love. He becomes king by election of the nobles when King Hamlet dies.
The Ghost
Hamlet's father, whose name was also Hamlet. Hamlet talks to him and finds out the truth about his father's death. Hamlet wants to confirm the true identity of the ghost before.
Minor Characters
Gertrude: Hamlet's mother and the queen.
Polonius: The principal secretary of state, the father of Ophelia and Laertes. Hamlet does not trust him.
Horatio: Hamlet's best friend and confidant.
Ophelia: Hamlet's tragic love. Her madness contrasts with Hamlet's pretended madness.
Laertes: A student at the University of Paris, he comes back to avenge his father's death and finally kills Hamlet with a poisoned sword.