Hamlet's Many Revelations

Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, is full of many characters that often display many different archetypical characteristics. The main character, Hamlet, is one of the most complex characters in the play because he displays varying archetypes. In Act Two he is showing himself as mainly two different types of characters. Hamlet is shown as a son grieving his father and also as son who loves and respects his father. In Scene Two of that act, his two friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern visit Hamlet. While speaking to them he makes a very thoughtful and reflective speech. This speech shows his insight on what he believes of mankind and also contradicts the archetypical characteristics Hamlet is displaying in Act Two.

In his speech, Hamlet is explaining the grief that has afflicted him since his father's death. He begins speaking of his father's death. "Upon whose property and most dear life a damned defeat was made." Hamlet gives his speech a melancholy tone because it is about his father's death. He continues his speech by saying, "And can say nothing-no, not for a king upon whose property and most dear life a damned defeat was made. Am I a coward?" This shows that Hamlet truly grieves his father. He feels like he needs to avenge his father. This speech of Hamlet's reveals his archetype of being a loving son. His speech carries on and it reveals another archetypical characteristic of Hamlet.

He continues his speech by going on into a somewhat different direction by examining his thoughts on mankind. He is telling of a glorified earth and how great humans are. He says "How noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form, and moving." In saying this, Hamlet is glorifying mankind and is putting humans on a pedestal. This reveals another side of Hamlet. This shows him as the archetypical man who loves his fellow people. He then compares humans to gods. "How express like a god!"