Manipulation in Shakespeare's Hamlet: The Complexity of Moral Questions and Considerations

Year 2024, Volume: 6 Issue: 1, 21 - 29, 21.11.2024

Adesanya M. Alabi , Abdul Serdar Ozturk

Abstract

Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a good example of a political play that accentuates the remarkable ways in which power is seized and used for manipulative objectives. Thus, manipulation happens in Hamlet, especially in terms of trying to search for the truth. It is also a kind of play that creates the distinction between virtue and vice. As it is reflected, Claudius becomes desperate to ascend to the throne, and for this reason, he kills his brother. This situation presents fertile ground for tragic situations in the process of political pursuit. Thus, as we see the effort of Hamlet in pursuing retributive justice for his father’s death, many other forms of truth are revealed, and these bring about the act and the practice of the reality of life. Therefore, this paper reveals how Shakespeare presents moral questions and considerations using the characters of Hamlet, the protagonist, and Claudius, the antagonist, and revealing how a family feud affects a nation. The attempt to take revenge leads to multiple deaths. The paper accentuates the function of power and how Hamlet emphasises that nothing can stand in his way of revenge, including his Christian faith. The loyalty to his late father becomes a strong measure for fulfilling his wish. In other words, tragedy would not have evolved if Hamlet has not made himself a complex person by refusing to accept what his uncle has done. He becomes very careful to regain what his uncle has taken.

Keywords

Hamlet, Power, Politics, Manipulations, Moral Questions

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