English Essay

Hamlet by William Shakespeare is a play about a young man who struggles with finding his true destiny. Hamlet comes across a ghost who is presumed to be his father. The ghost tells him he must avenge his death and kill his uncle who so happens to be the person who murdered him. Hamlet is somewhat hesitant. He wants to please his father because he misses him and loves him dearly and this would be a chance to get revenge against his uncle for ruining his family. On the other hand, he questions the idea of a ghost telling him to commit mutiny and murder the now king (1.v.75-84).Hamlet is one of the characters who is in control of his destiny. His only problem is that he does not know which the right way is.

Even though it seems as though this ghost is telling Hamlet how to pursue his destiny, it is his decision as to how he should live. However those such as Ophelia must constantly watch how she acts. Her father Polonius, being so close to the king and constantly in the public eye, means she cannot do as she pleases. She must follow certain rules especially those pertaining to her as a lady. At one point she struggles with following these lady-like rules when she is in a relationship with Hamlet. She is told that she should not be sleeping around with him because it looks bad upon her family. Her destiny is already set to follow in her family's line and to marry someone who will keep their name and maintain the same regal status. Her brother Laertes attempts to give her advice as to how to cease from these sexual acts with a man she is not married to (1.iii.33-42).

Laertes himself must also lead a very prominent lifestyle and maintain the right image. His destiny to follow in his father's footsteps awaits him and he must do all that he can to act his finest. Polonius and his children must lead prestigious lifestyles for their destinies are determined by their actions as a family. They help guide and advise one another to maintain good lifestyles (1.iii.60-80).

Shakespeare's Hamlet tells the story of those who's destinies are controlled by their actions. Some of their own and some of their family's who reflect on them. However all of them must watch how they present themselves. They are all high class society people who cannot let their emotions get the best of their appearances. So they have each other's backs and try to protect their images. They all know and share the struggle of finding their destiny