Download Hamlet Critical Response

Hamlet Critical Response
By: Alexander Momchilov
Mrs. Junyk
ENG4U1-03
Due: July 23, 2012
Momchilov 1
Hyperion to a Satyr
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Hamlet shows his dissatisfaction with Claudius during his first soliloquy, in which
he uses references to Greek mythology to contrast King Hamlet to Claudius. By
comparing Hyperion to a satyr, Hamlet highlights a prevalent theme throughout the play:
the degradation of the throne. This metaphor emphasizes the difference in nobility from
one king to the next. Hamlet portrays his father as a respectable ruler, in high regard
with above human nobility, much like Hyperion. Claudius, however, is depicted as an
irresponsible, drunk, partygoer with sub human morals, hence the reference to a Satyr.
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Hamlet idolizes his father, and holds him in high regard in each of the times he
speaks of him. Hamlet doesn't even mind sacrificing himself to avenge his father, a true
insight into just how loyal he was to his father. It's not surprising that Hamlet would
compare his father to Hyperion, the titan of light in Greek Mythology, and one of the 12
descendants of Gaia (goddess of the Earth) and Uranus (god of the heavens).
"See, what a grace was seated on this brow; Hyperion's curls; the front of Jove
himself; an eye like Mars, to threaten and command; a station like the herald
Mercury new-lighted on a heaven-kissing hill; a combination and a form indeed,
where every god did seem to set his seal to give the world assurance of a
man..." (III. iv. 53-66).
This account by Hamlet is more in depth description of King Hamlet, which adds
credibility to Hamlet's godlike portrayal of his father, and makes comparison to Hyperion
more believable. King Hamlet is certainly set a high bar for Claudius to live up to.
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Claudius is inarguably a corrupt man with substandard morals. Being a rich noble
and heir to the throne was clearly an insufficiently luxurious life style for him. His greed
Momchilov 2
and impatience built up to the point where they corrupted his morals and led him to
commit regicide. He cowardly killed the king, not through any sort of honorable invasion
or fair-footed fight, but rather through pouring poison in King Hamlet's ear during his
slumber. He took advantage of King Hamlet's sleep as an opportunity to easily kill him,
whilst he is in a position of utmost vulnerability. Claudius' motifs were unworthy; he had
no reason to kill the king but for self benefit and luxury. He had no plans for successfully
ruling the kingdom, but rather, to simply abuse his power. Claudius' frequent drinking is
a testament to his incompetence to be a proper successor to King Hamlet. His lacking
of morals and strong beast-like impulsiveness makes him a less than human character,
like a satyr. Satyrs were half-man, half-goat mythical beings that enjoyed to play pranks.
Their foolish pranks and irresponsibility are parallel to Claudius' as pointed out by
Hamlet. Hamlet has developed a disapproval for Claudius and the foolishness he
represents. His new hate for Claudius helped avenging his father even more rewarding.
Claudius is clearly an inferior king who is a significant downgrade in leadership from
King Hamlet.
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Hamlet concisely conveys the contrast between his father and his uncle. His
metaphor effectively both highlights the glory of King Hamlet as Hyperion and the
treachery of Claudius as satyr. The two would be on two opposite ends of the spectrum
of worthiness to be king. Unfortunately, leadership of the country has suffered a
substantial decline, which Hamlet points out when he describes Claudius as "A
murderer and a villain, a slave that is not twentieth part the tithe of your precedent lord,
a vice of kings." (IV, iv, 97-99) Hamlet meant that he is the worst of kings not worth a
two-hundredth of the prior.