Hamlet: Psychoanalytic Approach

1. Hamlet: Psychoanalytic Approach
By: Ma. Cristina D. Panganoran
While Prince Hamlet mourns his father's death, he was also angered by the
‘hasty’ marriage of his mother, Queen Gertrude to Claudius, Hamlet’s Uncle. The ghost
of Hamlet's father appears to him one night when a banquet was being held in the
castle. The ghost then tells him that Claudius has poisoned him. And with this, Hamlet
vowed on taking his revenge. He then invites a crew of travelling actors to put together
an old play whose story has a similarity to that of Claudius’ betrayal. The play also
questions Gertrude’s loyalty to her original husband. Hamlet's behavior at most of the
movie is very much like a lunatic. He kills the eavesdropping Polonius, the court
chamberlain, by thrusting his sword through a curtain in Gertrude’s room. Polonius's
son Laertes returns to Denmark to find Ophelia in a state of insanity and learned that
Hamlet caused his father's death. Consumed by revenge as well, he plotted Hamlet’s
demise. Polonius’ daughter Ophelia loves the Prince but his atrocious manners drive
her to madness. Ophelia dropped flowers on the lake and dies by drowning trying to
get her flowers back. A duel takes place between Laertes and Hamlet. It all ends with
the death of Gertrude, Laertes, Claudius, and Hamlet.
The Freudian approach would apply since it portrays Hamlets id, ego and super
ego in the progression of the movie. At first Hamlet’s Id, desire for revenge is being
suppressed by his super ego so he indulges himself by keeping Ophelia’s company but
his Id is much too strong that his Ego must come in to let his dangerous desire out in a
healthy way by orchestrating the play which mocks his uncle and gives him great
delight to bring his Uncle, Claudius in embarrassment and guilt. He even drops a word
every now and then to the king and queen regarding their hurried marriage. In addition
to that, he also confirms that what the ghost had said is true thru the play. But it wasn’t
enough; he wanted the new king, Claudius’ death by his hand. His Id fully takes control
when he had mistaken the eavesdropper, Polonius for Claudius hiding in the curtain of
Gertrude’s room. This resulted to Laertes’ anger and Ophelia’s madness.
The oedipal approach can be applied to the story seeing as the prince also
displayed Oedipus complex or libidinal feelings toward his mother, Queen Gertrude. It
becomes a question if he really wanted revenge for his father or did he simply wanted
the queen for himself and out of jealousy towards Claudius and Gertrude’s marriage
this whole murderous plot began. I could sense as though Hamlet longed to be with his
mother now that his father died but then Claudius came to the scene and took his
mother’s attention away from him.

2. The themes enveloped in the story include uncertainty, seeking revenge and
retribution, betrayal, ambition, loyalty and fate. How and why someone would bring
themselves down to this tragedy? Was there really a ghost? Or was it simply madness
and made up in Hamlet’s mind’s eye? Even if Claudius really did murdered Hamlet’s
father, this does not give the Prince any right to plot murder against him. Nothing can
justify a wrong doing. Whatever the reason is the act is still murder and is not tolerable.
Hamlet showed that crimes of the royalty can be wiped clean as if it never happened,
especially, if it’s a prince or a king who has done the deed. Justice is not given to
everyone. It is unfortunate but true.