Prince Hamlet

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Prince Hamlet is the titular protagonist of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet—but despite his central role and often sympathetic framing, Hamlet exhibits many traits commonly associated with villainy. Consumed by grief and a desire for vengeance, Hamlet manipulates, murders, and psychologically torments those around him, blurring the moral lines between hero and villain. His actions, while rooted in justice, ultimately lead to the downfall of nearly every major character in the play, including himself.

Biography[]

Early Life[]

Prince Hamlet is the only son of King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude of Denmark. Educated at the University of Wittenberg, Hamlet is presented as a thoughtful and intellectually inclined young man, shaped by classical learning and Renaissance humanism. He returns to Elsinore Castle in mourning upon hearing of his father's sudden death—and is further shocked and disillusioned to find his mother has already married his uncle, Claudius, who has assumed the throne.

This double blow—the loss of his father and his mother’s hasty remarriage—plunges Hamlet into a deep existential crisis and sets the stage for his emotional and moral unraveling.

The Ghost and the Oath of Revenge[]

Soon after his return, Hamlet encounters the ghost of his father, who reveals that he was murdered by Claudius through poison poured in his ear. The ghost demands that Hamlet avenge his “most foul and unnatural murder.” Hamlet swears to obey, saying he will "sweep to [his] revenge"—but his internal conflict between action and morality causes him to delay.

Rather than act immediately, Hamlet begins a campaign of observation and manipulation, adopting an "antic disposition" (feigned madness) to confuse others and conceal his intentions.

Descent into Darkness[]

Hamlet’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic and cruel. He verbally abuses Ophelia, the woman he once loved, and drives her into despair. When he mistakenly kills her father Polonius (believing him to be Claudius), Ophelia’s mental health collapses, and she ultimately drowns—likely a suicide. Hamlet shows little visible guilt, calling Polonius a “foolish prating knave.”

After the murder, Claudius sends Hamlet to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, carrying a letter that secretly orders Hamlet's execution. However, Hamlet discovers the plot and alters the letter to ensure the deaths of his old schoolmates instead. He views their deaths coldly, remarking that “they are not near my conscience.”

Return and the Graveyard[]

Upon returning to Denmark, Hamlet encounters the gravedigger scene, where he reflects morbidly on mortality while holding the skull of Yorick, a former court jester he once knew as a child. This moment deepens Hamlet’s fatalistic outlook, reinforcing his readiness for death and destiny.

When he learns of Ophelia’s death, Hamlet expresses a sudden and violent grief, but the sincerity and timing of his emotions are questionable, especially after the psychological torment he inflicted on her.

The Duel and Final Revenge[]

Claudius arranges a duel between Hamlet and Laertes (Ophelia's brother), secretly plotting to have Hamlet killed either by a poisoned sword or a poisoned drink. The plan backfires catastrophically. During the duel:

Gertrude accidentally drinks the poison meant for Hamlet.
Laertes wounds Hamlet with the poisoned blade.
Hamlet, in turn, wounds Laertes and forces him to confess Claudius’s plot.

With his dying strength, Hamlet finally stabs Claudius and forces him to drink the poison. Hamlet at last fulfills his vow of revenge, but at the cost of his own life and the total collapse of the Danish royal family.

Death and Aftermath[]

Hamlet dies in Horatio’s arms, urging him to live and tell the truth of what happened. His final words—“The rest is silence”—leave his spiritual fate ambiguous. Fortinbras, Prince of Norway, arrives to find the court littered with bodies. He assumes control of Denmark, symbolizing a brutal regime change and the end of the corrupt royal line.

Personality[]

Hamlet is intelligent, introspective, and eloquent—but also deeply cynical, erratic, and manipulative. His moral deliberations often delay action, yet once he commits, his vengeance is brutal and unrelenting. As the play progresses, his behavior becomes increasingly cold and dangerous, especially in his treatment of Ophelia and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

His famous soliloquies reveal inner torment, but also expose his capacity for rationalizing cruelty. He speaks often of death, madness (feigned and perhaps real), and philosophical despair.

Villainous Acts[]

Psychological Cruelty: Hamlet emotionally destroys Ophelia, contributes to her madness and suicide, and shows little remorse.
Murder of Polonius: Stabs Polonius through a curtain without confirming his identity, then shows callous disregard for the killing.
Manipulation of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: Forges a letter to ensure their execution in England, showing a calculating disregard for former friends.
Emotional manipulation of Gertrude: Confronts his mother violently, possibly inducing guilt and confusion that lead to her accidental death.
Callousness and Mockery: Mocks the deaths of others (e.g., Yorick, Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern) and toys with the idea of life and death as abstract concepts.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

Hamlet’s body count directly or indirectly includes Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Laertes, Claudius, and Gertrude.
His soliloquies are some of the most quoted passages in English literature.
Hamlet is often compared to tragic figures like Macbeth or Othello, but his villainy is more philosophical and internalized.

External Links[]

Prince Hamlet on Heroes Wiki