Hamlet

If you have not yet read Hamlet, do so. Not only is William Shakespeare's masterpiece one of the most powerful tragedies in the history of literature, but to this day its riveting plot resonates in our society.

Devastated by his father's death, Prince Hamlet plots to exact revenge on his Uncle Claudius, whom his father's ghost tells him is his murderer. Claudius has now married Hamlet's mother, Queen Gertrude. In an intense bedroom scene, we witness Hamlet revile his mother for betraying his late father. The subtleties of Hamlet begin to reveal themselves as we observe Hamlet having somewhat of a fixation on his mother's sexuality. The oedipal complex, which many of you may remember learning from high school or college English, now enters.

We therefore question Hamlet's psyche-is he really grieving for his father, or does he want to replace his father-as well as Claudius-to be his mother's . . . husband? Incest clearly becomes a theme in this brilliant tragedy.

Then there's the famous monologue in which Hamlet, stricken with depression and contempt, contemplates whether or not to kill himself. We later see Ophelia and Laertes, children of Claudius's counsellor, Polonius. Hamlet develops an odd attention toward Ophelia, hating her and liking her at the same time. Hamlet's bipolarity gives us an impression that he is insane.

With the help of the royal jesters, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet puts on a play that reenacts his father's death, in hopes of seeing Claudius show signs of his guilt. Indeed, Claudius runs out of the room disturbed, and Hamlet delightfully continues with his plan to slay his stepfather.

The play weaves and interweaves the characters, bouncing off their actions of revenge, treachery and moral corruption. The play comes together for a tragic ending, leaving the reader to understand the consequences that can originate from the desire for power. If you think back to The Lion King, you will realize how it is very much based off of Hamlet. Many contemporary films and literature are rooted in Shakespeare's brilliant, human psychical plots.