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  • Essay / Revenge, Lack of Empathy, and Lust for Power in Shakespeare's Hamlet

    The Shakespearean tragedy Hamlet conveys many ideas about the human experience that remain relevant today. Despite its archaic language and complex writing form, the emotions and experiences experienced by all the characters are classified as universal human experiences. Although the setting is largely situational, the drama addresses common issues of sexism, power struggles and personal identification that are still relevant in society. These conflicts can be reflected in any time period, as most events occurring in history can be derived from the same basic motivations and experiences. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Humans show signs of the spotlight effect when they believe they possess major importance in people's lives, and this is reflected in Ophelia's consistent belief that Hamlet's misfortune is due to his undying love for her, while in “though it be madness, yet there is a method to it.” More often than not, people's poor judgment choices are a consistent human trait, as people tend to overestimate their importance in the world and base their decisions on their own self-image. In the play, all the characters jump to the conclusion that Hamlet is going mad, but fail to decipher its source by claiming that his madness is embarrassing. The lack of empathy shown by Claudius towards Hamlet over the loss of his father is reflected in their personality which thrives on power and image. In today's society, global catastrophes are often downplayed, as people are only interested in their own personal gain. Calamities such as the rise of concentration camps in Asia and climate change are seen as events that will eventually end. The tendency to overlook such dire states is known to be the bystander effect, during which there is a diminished willingness to help if there are others who can help. A lust for power blinds a person's logic and judgment about the effects it can inflict. not only on themselves but on everyone around them. People strive for power realizing all the implications that come with achieving the position they find themselves in. Idealists tend to think that there is a superficial solution that only scratches the surface of the real problem. In the play, King Claudius ignores the true hierarchy and marries Gertrude, without considering how the country will be affected. His own selfishness prevented him from thinking about the welfare of the nation in all respects, putting on a facade that "can smile, grin and be a bad guy." Politicians in judicial systems compete for the position that holds the highest power, forgetting the welfare of the nation for which they are responsible. Power conflicts often result in negative impacts on the community, such as violent retaliation following large-scale conflict or extremes like poverty and corruption. Even with the progression of the modern world and advancements in the fields of science and technology, people still struggle. with an internal conflict of their own personal identity, as Hamlet did. Life forces people to face an ultimatum: follow their true potential and desires or please tradition and family. Hamlet stayed to avenge his father instead of pursuing his intellect. A tendency to opt for morality and what looks good in pictures can prevent people from living fully..