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Hamlet's Retrospection In Light of Burton's Melancholy

Introduction:

For a contemporary reader, the mix of Hamlet and depression offers a multitude of foci where one may blindly relish in opportunities to prove how melancholy, and "Hamlet" go hand in hand. In this paper I have strived to chalk out a few essential personality traits and actions that will relate unconditionally to how Burton's viewed Hamlet. One of these relates to Hamlet's chronic depression symptoms leading to thoughts of suicide. As melancholy seems to be a sentiment exceedingly dominant throughout the play, one may still argue as to whether Hamlet is indeed a tragedy or not. The same shall also be argued upon in light of contemporary writings and most importantly in view of the general range and perspectives presented by Burton.

In order to relate his character to the views presented by Burton, there is an immense need to critically analyze the proceedings and transitions in his personality. Hamlet speaks of suicide in the early stage of the play and later the same cognitive content finds way deep into his actions, perhaps as a refuge from his surrounding or perhaps the proceedings deem to be acceptable for the Elizabethan gathering to which Shakespeare catered to.

Discussion

Melancholy and the Elizabethan Society

Shakespeare's plays, particularly those that hold an element of tragedy in them have always been under the critical scrutiny of critics. It has been said that the play Julius Caesar has an aura of melancholic arrest as can be seen from the lines “climate of apprehension, of impending fatality ... of man foredoomed from the outset.” (J. Thompson, pp. 246 and 248)

To gauge Hamlet's devolving condition and a fostering tendency towards melancholy, we need to recall how the Elizabethan society viewed melancholy and suicide. (Shakespeare Studies 1, pp. 240-60). Despite the contradictory doctrines found on the subject, I find it necessary to mention John Donne's view that allows some acceptance of felo-de-se by linking it to unacceptable states of remaining alive. The states may involve compromising on one's moral or social principles. However, Hamlet deviates slightly from this specific construct of inert sacrifice by following a specific pattern of deterioration, viewing his cosmos to be intolerant and unendurable.

The melancholic views stated earlier in reference to Shakespearean tragedies and the era surrounding them is of course also influenced by the magnitude to which this concept was lodged in the minds of the audience. Authors of the age also resided in this doctrine of melancholic thoughtfulness and hence one sees definite patterns in both dramatic expressions and in emotional and psychological reflections of that time. Decisive discriminations are of course present owing to the authors' individual stance on the subject. The same variation must be accepted when speaking of moral and ethical grounds. I believe, that after considering the ecumenical factors mentioned and also the discriminatory elements and their dominance presence, it would be safe to state that melancholic elements and their domination was a much celebrated theme during the late years of ...