The Theory of Melancholy

As we read further and further into Hamlet: Prince of Denmark, we neglect the remembrance of Hamlet’s state of being. Shakespeare writes this play right after the death of King Hamlet, Hamlet’s father. A relationship between a father and a son is unlike any other. Although a mother gives a child a relationship that is full of unconditional love, only a father can provide a connection to their son that goes above all else to give the boy what he needs. When Hamlet comes home to the death of his father, he can do nothing but grieve and remain in a deep depression. Hamlet’s whole world had come to a halt as Hamlet could do nothing but watch as his widow mother married so quickly to his dead father’s brother. Witnessing his father’s burial and the newlywed couple parade across town with the full support of the townspeople can only be focused into a strong sense of overwhelming emotion, so much so that Hamlet can do nothing but remain in a sense of deep depression on the inside that would play a great part on how he acts and what he does on the outside.

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Soon after the encounter with his father’s ghost, Hamlet feels even more betrayed and overwhelmed with the new knowledge of his father’s murder and his uncle’s betrayal. The ghost of King Hamlet makes Hamlet swear that he will avenge his father’s death and restore order and justice to the throne and Denmark. Although Hamlet says that he will act quickly, he does not do so, which only adds to his deep feeling of depression. He cannot even act to finish his problem of deep sadness in the act of suicide. While he battles with himself whether to act or not to act on the murder of his uncle, as the plot goes on, our tragic hero becomes more and more disheartened and discouraged.