Shakespeare Creates the First Modern Person, Prince Hamlet

Some of the most successful works of literature stand the test of time because the text includes a pivotal moment in history. Merging the ideals and principles of the past with modern thinking, literature traces the variances in mankind's morals, ethics and values through humanity's timeline. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the Crown Prince Hamlet of Denmark internally struggles with the tradition and familial duty that contradicts the Christian values in which he places his faith.

In Act III, Scene 1 Hamlet secures his place as history's "first modern person" as he ponders the very essence of life and death as he struggles with his dilemma (Dimatteo). Hamlet is torn between the promise he made to avenge his father's death and his own Christian principles. Hamlet's famous soliloquy in the scene shows the existential truth of life: the past and future are inaccessible; the present is the only thing that is substantial.

Applying existentialism to his own problem, Hamlet ponders, "To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer ...or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing, end them" (Shakespeare 55-56, 58-59). By considering this question, Hamlet "summarized ...all that follows" (MacNeil).

Hamlet wonders if his promise to avenge his father and his family's outdated tradition supersedes God's laws. The vengeful Hebraic "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" concept had been replaced by Christian principles during the Renaissance.

Hamlet shares his internal struggle as he wonders which path is "nobler" (Shakespeare 56). He wants to find inner peace; yet, he knows inner peace is impossible because either choice will cause him some grief. Hamlet knows he must avenge his father's death. He can not find another way to bring honor to the former King. He also realizes if he kills Claudius, he will be killed as well, and he fears death, especially the unknown aspects of death. Fearing his conscience will plague him for all eternity, Hamlet hopes his own death will "end the heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to" (60-62).

On the other hand, Hamlet understands that a vengeful murder is morally wrong. He wonders if "the dread of something after death...from whose bourn no traveller returns" is the deciding factor when people choose to forgo revenge (77-79). Hamlet admits that the fear of this unknown is the reason that "conscience does make cowards [of us all]" (82).

Hamlet acknowledges the inner turmoil is making him sick. His face has lost its color and become "sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought" (84). Hamlet's admission of his worsening health begs the question: Is his madness still feigned or is his predicament now driving him insane? When Hamlet is joined by Ophelia, he asks her to pray for him. This request magnifies the real inner struggle that plagues Hamlet.

Conflicting cultural beliefs cause a great deal of internal struggle for individuals as society moves toward change while longing for the nostalgic ideals of the past. The audience sympathizes with Hamlet's plight because being torn between two choices is something to which everyone can relate. Hamlet's inability to merge two conflicting perspectives: the old world and modern culture eventually cause his madness.

Works Cited

Dimatteo, Anthony. "Anthony Dimatteo Explains how Hamlet Could Be Considered the First Modern Person."

Johnson, Dean, Ed. The Riverside Shakespeare. New York: Houghton, 1997.

MacNeil, Robert. "The Story of English." 1st ed. New York: Viking Penguin:1986.

Shakespeare, William. "The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark." Act III, Scene 1. Johnson 1208-9. http://my.ellis.nyit.edu/skins/uci/transcript.jsp?id=6233996857&title=Vide o&course_id=4071373015&laf=uci>