Preview

Examples Of Ethical Dilemmas In Hamlet

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1040 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Examples Of Ethical Dilemmas In Hamlet
What comes to your mind when you think of Hamlet? Is the love Hamlet had for Ophelia, or maybe it is all the killing that happens in the play? Have you ever thought about the political and ethical dilemmas in the play? Some of the dilemmas only pertained to Shakespeare’s time. While others were universal applying to all times. There were many political and ethical dilemmas that pertained to Shakespeare’s time and all times, one of the political dilemmas is when Demark needed to know if Norway was going to go to war, and an example of one of the ethical dilemmas would be Lord Polonius telling his daughter not to have anything to do with Hamlet anymore, and there were many more.
In the play Hamlet one of the political dilemmas is about Norway and Demark. Denmark sends messengers to Norway to find out if they are going to war. This happens all throughout history so this dilemma is universal. Countries go to war all the time. Right now the United States of America is at war with terrorists, and before
…show more content…
Lord Polonius doesn’t think Hamlet truly love his daughter so he tells her to not except his love. Parents try to protect their daughters and sons from guys and girls all the time. They don’t like to see their children get heartbroken and be sad. They tell them to stay away from that guy or girl because he is no good. “Set your entreatments at a higher rate Than a command to parley. For Lord Hamlet, Believe so much in him, that he is young And with a larger tether may he walk….Do not believe his vows; for they are brokers.”(Polonius Act 1 Scene 3). This is the quote where Lord Polonius is telling Ophelia not to trust or love Hamlet.”You shall do marvelous wisely, good Reynaldo, Before you visit him, to make inquire Of his behavior.” Lord Polonius is sending Reynaldo to spy on his son in this quote.” Parents will always try to protect their children so this is a universal

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Rough Draft Essay

    • 469 Words
    • 2 Pages

    When the reader reads the book Hamlet they will better picture the struggle that Ophelia and Hamlet face, feel for them when they are showing their emotions, and know that the decisions they made are understandable and relatable. Hamlet and Ophelia mind as well be our mere reflection of ourselves. In the story, pay attention to anything they say or do and you may learn something about yourself and can share that feeling with…

    • 469 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Hamlet, Prince of Denmark has remained the most perplexing, as well as the most popular, of William Shakespeare’s tragedies. Whether considered as literature, philosophy, or drama, its artistic stature is universally admitted. To explain the reasons for its excellence in a few words, however, is a daunting task. Apart from the matchless artistry of its language, the play’s appeal rests in large measure on the character of Hamlet himself. Called upon to avenge his father’s murder, he is compelled to face problems of duty, morality, and ethics that have been human concerns through the ages. The play has tantalized critics with what has become known as the Hamlet mystery, that of Hamlet’s complex behavior, most notably his indecision and his reluctance to act.…

    • 1773 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Ethics of Hamlet

    • 546 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Morality plays a major role in the decisions we make in our daily lives. Often times, emotion alters our ability to make coherent choices. In the play "Hamlet", by William Shakespeare, Hamlet encounters difficulty in making decisions as he deals with his nemesis, Claudius. In Act III Hamlet proves to be a cautious and contemplative person through his delay in avenging his father's death.…

    • 546 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Polonius is not ready to let go of his daughter. As no mention has been made of Ophelia’s mother; we must assume that Ophelia is the predominant female figure for him in his life. He looks at Laertes as his heir, typical in his time, also evidenced by the fact that it seems that they have talked about Ophelia and Halmet’s relationship. He looks after his daughter and cares for her in his own ways. Although his bawdy advices to Ophelia when he asks her about her and Hamlet’s relationship may seem harsh, it may also be taken as a sign that Polonius is not ready to let go of his daughter. Every parent struggles to let their kids gain their independence but Polonius has not yet realized that his daughter is ready to have a relationship with some male other than her family members. He not only fears that Ophelia might ruin her reputation and therefore ruin the family’s reputation, he also fears that if he has to acknowledge that Hamlet has “My lord, he hath importuned me with love/ In honourable fashion” as Ophelia claims then he must let go of Ophelia and trust someone else will take care of her as he and Laertes have tried to do. Polonius not letting his daughter take risks, although selfish at times, shows that he doesn’t want his daughter to do something she regrets, and thinks to take care of her so she doesn’t have to be burdened and he refuses to acknowledge that she can take care of herself because she seems to be the “baby” of the family.…

    • 474 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In every play or book that a person reads the characters are never perfect. They always have a flaw that causes a problem or conflict within the storyline. This is true for Hamlet's character in William Shakespeare's Hamlet. In several of Hamlet's speeches he discloses many flaws in his character to the readers throughout the play. These are aspects that have thus far only been able to be seen as fragments in other speeches.…

    • 607 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Shakespeare Major Paper

    • 2842 Words
    • 8 Pages

    In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlet himself is a difficult character to figure out. With his elegant intensity and reckless but cautious attitude, he is able to keep his readers entertained as the play progresses. Through his irrational decisions, emotional madness and admirable qualities, Hamlet becomes a character with whom readers will continuously empathize. Our first impression of Hamlet sets the tone for the entire play. We are brought to one of the beginning scenes where Hamlet is…

    • 2842 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    He’s furious with his mother, who decided to remarry in a too hasty, and rejects Ophelia, the woman who previously courted. Often his words express disgust against all womankind. In the work there is a direct confrontation with death, and also the topic of suicide is explored. A further reflection on the character of Hamlet, is the fact that, despite these being the Prince of Denmark, pays little attention to the fate of the state, and look almost all of its problems from a philosophical point of view and personal, without caring much about the threats against Denmark.…

    • 499 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Hamlet Ap Timed Exam

    • 848 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Wednesday, April 28: One of these Hamlet timed essay topics will be chosen for you. You may wish to prepare ahead of time (in fact, you will regret not doing so). NO NOTES OR TEXT ALLOWED.…

    • 848 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Justice is something all human beings strive for. Whether it be for selfish intent or for someone you love. It all runs within our mind. To give an example of justice and how we all strive for it I have chosen Hamlet. Hamlet is the main character and his feelings and wants are expressed well enough to elaborate on.…

    • 335 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ophelia, the sweet and naieve girl in “Hamlet”, is clueless about the world around her and she thinks Hamlet loves her, when in reality he doesn’t and he rejects Ophelia. Ophelia innocently loved Hamlet even though Hamlet was slightly crazy, she gave her all to hamlet and he took her for granted even after her own brother Laertes told her to watch out for the king because he’s of noble birth and she’s nothing to him. Polonius her dad is over protective and doesn’t want Ophelia to talk to hamlet because he knows what he’s capable of. Ophelia being innocent and Naive doesn’t understand why her family says this, but she takes in what her dad says, but lets her heart get to her and it leads to Ophelia’s downfall. In the play Hamlet her dad says…

    • 587 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Most people believe that they should live their life happy by taking action and some believe they should live their life sad by not taking action. William Shakespeare explores this idea in Hamlet, a play that was written by, Shakespeare, during the Renaissance Era explains a main issue with prince of Denmark, Hamlet is portrayed as a character that lived his life sad/depressed by holding back,not taking action and not showing he's authentic self. Because of the tension between character’s internal will and opposing social expectations, it seems that shakespeare is arguing that we should take action and be our authentic self so that we don't live a sad and depressed life. One example of Hamlets portrayal of not taking action is in the text it…

    • 365 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, justice, revenge, and love were big themes in the play. The concept of justice is hard to understand in the play, also agreeing that Hamlet also receives justice or revenge for his murdered father. By killing his uncle Claudius, does Hamlet truly receive justice or did he seek revenge for his father’s death? Was Hamlet’s doings for the love of his father or the hatred of his uncle? Justice is key for Hamlet because he thinks that he receives justice for the death of his uncle, but really it is just revenge.…

    • 702 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Flaws

    • 966 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Throughout Shakespeare’s career as a playwright, he has written about many complex and well thought characters who actually have something they want to say and how the characters’ view life. None however, as interesting as Hamlet from the play Hamlet. The character of Hamlet is interesting because although he was born from status, he does not have all the power. Hamlet is also well aware of his flaws and his flaws are not that obvious to the audience. The most engaging scenes are the ones where Hamlet is alone speaking truths about his thoughts on suicide and humanity itself.…

    • 966 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, William Shakespeare’s longest, and perhaps most notable, play explores several important aspects of the human condition. Hamlet’s battle between his emotions and logic, as well as his fatal flaws and what he considers to be morally good and looming evil, encased in a story of murder and betrayal enlightens audiences to contemplate the true meaning of being human. Ultimately, through Hamlet’s questioning of humanity and what it means to be alive and human, Shakespeare prompts the conversation in his audience.…

    • 943 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Ophelia In Hamlet

    • 1399 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Hamlet by William Shakespeare is a revenge tragedy play that primarily focuses on Hamlet’s quest to avenge his father’s death. The tragedy of Hamlet, while mostly revolving around Hamlet himself, also concerns the character of Ophelia, and Hamlet’s relationship with her throughout the play. Despite of her absence from all but five scenes, Ophelia manages to receive a considerable amount of attention, as her character becomes truly tragic with her realization that she is powerless politically, socially, and psychologically amongst the men in her life, and without them. As a woman with limited options in a patriarchal society, this realization drives her mad, ultimately resulting in her death.…

    • 1399 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays