Hamlet Post Structuralist Lens Essay
Hamlet Through a Post-Structuralist Lens
EQ: How does ambiguous language reveal deeper truths about the characters in Hamlet?
Prior to Act 4, Hamlet has murdered Polonius, and now he has to face the consequences of his actions. At the end of act 4 scene 3, Hamlet tells Guildenstern “The body is with the king, but the king is not with the body. The king is a thing,” and Guildenstern asks, “A thing, my lord?” to which Hamlet replies, “Of nothing” (IV.ii.24-27). There are many possible interpretations of this interaction, and a post-structuralist interpretation urges us to consider all of the meanings.
One interpretation of the passage could be that “the body” represents the people of Denmark, and the king, Claudius, is not with them because he is selfish and only cares about gaining power, which could be seen as an empty desire since power …show more content…
Personally, I think this reading of the passage makes the most sense because Claudius was very concerned when he heard of Polonius’s death and he wanted to make funeral arrangements, and because Hamlet’s father continues to haunt him, so he is constantly reminded of the strange reality he lives in. This interpretation reveals that Claudius deeply cared for Polonius and Hamlet continues to grieve his father’s death, even though he has a plan to exact revenge upon Claudius.
Post-structuralism allows us to view one passage through many interpretations, and this lens encourages us to accept all possible readings. Within the interaction between Hamlet and Guildenstern, there are many interpretations that all provide a new insight into the deeper motives behind several characters’ actions. By accepting and using multiple interpretations, we are able to glean a more nuanced and detailed understanding of Shakespeare’s
EQ: How does ambiguous language reveal deeper truths about the characters in Hamlet?
Prior to Act 4, Hamlet has murdered Polonius, and now he has to face the consequences of his actions. At the end of act 4 scene 3, Hamlet tells Guildenstern “The body is with the king, but the king is not with the body. The king is a thing,” and Guildenstern asks, “A thing, my lord?” to which Hamlet replies, “Of nothing” (IV.ii.24-27). There are many possible interpretations of this interaction, and a post-structuralist interpretation urges us to consider all of the meanings.
One interpretation of the passage could be that “the body” represents the people of Denmark, and the king, Claudius, is not with them because he is selfish and only cares about gaining power, which could be seen as an empty desire since power …show more content…
Personally, I think this reading of the passage makes the most sense because Claudius was very concerned when he heard of Polonius’s death and he wanted to make funeral arrangements, and because Hamlet’s father continues to haunt him, so he is constantly reminded of the strange reality he lives in. This interpretation reveals that Claudius deeply cared for Polonius and Hamlet continues to grieve his father’s death, even though he has a plan to exact revenge upon Claudius.
Post-structuralism allows us to view one passage through many interpretations, and this lens encourages us to accept all possible readings. Within the interaction between Hamlet and Guildenstern, there are many interpretations that all provide a new insight into the deeper motives behind several characters’ actions. By accepting and using multiple interpretations, we are able to glean a more nuanced and detailed understanding of Shakespeare’s