Exploring Cultural Identity in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay -- Shakespea

Exploring Cultural Identity in Shakespeares small town In William Shakespeares play Hamlet, the concept of cultural personal identity is explored through Hamlets isolation which is created by the conflict between his certificate of indebtedness to his father, and his duties to the monarchy and society. Hamlet is isolated from his society due to his turbulent emotions which result from his indecision on how to do to his fathers murder. Hamlets duty as a son is to avenge his fathers death and he would be supported in his actions by society if the murderer was believed to be guilty. Hamlets duty as a citizen and a Prince is to protect the King and to ensure stability in the monarchy. In order for Hamlet to revenge his father he would reach to kill the King which creates a conflict between his two primary duties. Because of this, Hamlet finds it difficult to decide how to proceed and which duty takes precedence, and Hamlet decides to gather shew as proof of Claudius guilt so that his revenge is justified to society and to himself. The unholiness of murdering a king who is also a close congener is highlighted by Claudius and this allows the sense of hearing to better understand the conflict and the indecision facing Hamlet. Hamlets duty as a son, in his social context and circumstances, is one which encourages him to seek revenge for his slay father. For Hamlet to be perceived as a noble and worthy son, he would have to kill his fathers murderer, and his actions would be supported by society as long as the murderer was believed to be guilty. In Hamlets first soliloquy after the encounter with the ghost early in the play, when the ghost tells him that he moldiness seek revenge, Hamlet quickly acknowledges his duty as a son. Hamlet Ill wipe a... ...come to terms with his revenge. The unholiness of killing a king and a close relative is highlighted by Claudius when he reflects on his own crime of killing King Hamlet. Through this, a deeper understanding of t he conflict facing Hamlet and of his turbulent emotions occurs. Hamlet dies at the end, fulfilling his duty as a son and his duty to society, by purging the corrupt from the monarchy and avenging his fathers death.Works Cited and ConsultedGreenblatt, Stephen. Social Energy and Identity in Shakespeare. Oxford Clarendon Press, 1998.Kreiger, Elliot. Malvolio and sectionalisation Ideology. Bloom (19-26). Nevo, Ruth. Identity Transformation in Shakespeare. London Methuen & Co., 1980.Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Global Shakespeare Theatre Series. 1996Thatcher, David. Discrepancy in Cultural Identity in Shakespeare. New York stopcock Lang, 1999.