Hamlet Essay: From speaking to acting

After spending so much time analyzing and discussing Hamlet I have come to the conclusion that Hamlet is a witty character in which everyone’s actions revolve on. His “madness” consist of overhearing his plans and emotions and transforming his language/speech into Locutionary force to Perlocutionary force. I have learned that I am not so different from Hamlet, (except for the fact that he was made a character and I was not)  for if we think about it we are all “mad.”

For the most part words come out of the mouth effortlessly. The words coming out of the mouth are of some importance or none at all. Words are disguises that each and every human being uses. These disguises are the most effective, because they have escaped the brain and allowed the person to hear them selves speak words, also known as language. In the play Hamlet we (the readers/audience) are allowed to see the different stages and difficulties Hamlet has to go through when using disguises. In the beginning of the play Hamlet’s character has a difficult time turning his language into action he is able to get a message across (locutionary force), but unable to act on it. Hamlet wrestles with his words and how he wants to make them in reality. I myself battle with the same problem. I tell myself that I am going to be positive, and somewhat unbreakable. I keep my optimism going for a while, but once in a while I fall into the dark. As I fall I remember my own words and I think to myself how am I going to make these words my actions again? Hamlet and I both move towards making our words actions (perlocutionary force). Hamlet ends up getting revenge for his father’s death and I start all over again.

            Sometimes words go out in to the air, are remembered for a moment and forgotten forever. In Hamlet that is not the case every word Hamlet speaks is a word that foreshadows future actions. Hamlet’s speaking is not the ordinary use of speech. When speaking to himself his speech is so melodramatic and full of emotion. When something has so much emotion it is almost impossible to forget what is being said. When Hamlet speaks to himself through his soliloquy’s he is bringing out his emotions, letting himself know his plans, and accepting them as a challenge, a goal, and a motivation. My brain is a complete mess, thoughts and ideas run in and out of it uncounted. The strong thoughts are the ones that have a long stay in my brain. I more than likely over think these things until I have either come to a conclusion or just confused myself more. Like Hamlet though that speaking and thinking ignites something in me that allows me to follow through with it. Due to such great self-overhearing Hamlet’s intentions are not only strongly visible to the audience, but also to himself. His words ignite the flame of disaster; his action. The plot revolves around Hamlet’s action, because whatever he decides to do goes. The other character’s actions revolve around what the “mad” Hamlet decides to act on next. For example, when Hamlet kills Polonius he is sent to England to die. All of Hamlet’s actions to that point led Claudius to send him away. Hamlet’s scandal speeches, his rudeness and distaste, and “madness” got him to where he “deserved.”

            Like Hamlet I am a person that likes to reflect my thoughts and experiences by myself more than with other people. I like to be alone, biking, running, in my room listening to music, and among other activities. I like to hear myself think and overhear my brain. As I do the lonely Hamlet looks at mirrors, walks around, and clutches things. If it is not noticeable enough Hamlet only overhears himself when alone and in need to confirm his plans. For example, when the ghost speaks to Hamlet for the first time he establishes the ground Hamlet will walk on form that moment on. Then is when all of the overhearing comes. His emotion and frustration lead to that need of speaking to oneself, evaluating plans, and relieving oneself. Reflecting on one’s thoughts is a human trait that Hamlet pertained. The character is smarter than the typical human being, but not so much different.