Hamlet and Human Nature

Hamlet and Human Nature

Human nature is the core of what drives everyone--over reason or even emotion. Hamlet is a classic example of humans relying on their innate senses to guide them through life, and ultimately, to their death. In this play by William Shakespeare, there are three characters that rely on human nature to conquer, defeat, and overrule: Claudius, Laertes, and Hamlet.

Claudius knows what he wants and knows what he has to so to achieve it. Although it is unnatural to want to kill one's brother, Claudius merely sees his brother was a blockade to his dreams. Claudius kills him to get power. Power is an animalistic goal that mankind has fought for since the creation of man. "A brother's murder. Pray can I not, though inclination is as sharp as [carnal desire]" (78). Claudius is sorry for murder, but is not willing to repent because he isn't willing to give up what he has gained through this crime. Hamlet also threatens the king. The king knows that Hamlet has been conspiring to kill him; therefore, he needs to protect himself from Hamlet. After all, Claudius knows that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are lifelong friends of Hamlet, and yet he still bribes them to spy on Hamlet. Claudius set his morals and reason aside to abolish anyone in his way of what he wants.

Laertes is a nature-driven man. Laertes is an animalistic in that he wills so what is necessary to keep his family safe. Family is Laertes' main motive for fighting Hamlet in act five. Hamlet has killed Polonius and is the cause of Ophelia's madness.

To hell allegiance, vows to the blackest devil, Conscience and grace to the profoundest pit! I dare damnation. To this point I stand, that both the worlds of negligence, let some what comes, only I'll be revenged most thoroughly for my father (101).

Laertes understands the consequences of getting revenge for his father and sister. He's willing to go to hell because his family is worth his eternal damnation. Protecting oneself and one's family is of the most basic human drives and, this above all, must protect and enforced no matter what.

Hamlet represents human nature in its most raw state. Hamlet's emotions can get the best of him, but his emotions are driven by his instincts. The moment he heard the ghost of his father speak of how he was killed, Hamlet couldn't