Hamlet: Oedipus Complex 

The Oedipus Complex discusses the relationship specifically between a mother and her
son. The complex explains that a son will experience an attraction for his mother, which is
normal if you consider the fact that the mother is the one that initially nurtured and nourished
him; in most cases, the son grows out of this attraction, however, there are situations where the
obsession stays and results in a strange desire a son will have for his mother. There is no doubt
Hamlet and his mother have a strange relationship. The two have a dynamic unlike how a mother
and son should regularly act. Hamlet looks to his mother as if she is all he wants, to many, this is
revolting and absurd. However, by looking at their relationship in relation to the Oedipus
Complex we can gain an understanding of why Hamlet experiences some sort of “lust” towards
his mother. Hamlet appears to have never developed out of the childlike stage of attraction for
his mother, instead, he is stuck, he wants her and wishes to be with her. After the death of his
father, Hamlet must have felt somewhat satisfied - the main opposition to Gertrude’s heart was
eliminated. It was not until the new introduction of Claudius that Hamlet felt threatened and his
competition for Gertrude continued. With respects to the chapel scene, Hamlet was given the
perfect opportunity to kill Claudius. It is apparent that he wasted his opportunity and many
readers wonder why. By analyzing using the Oedipus Complex a connection between his desire
to be with Gertrude and his lack of action can be established. Hamlet must have realized that
killing Claudius would no doubt ruin any chance he may have to be with his mother. It would
also cause a tear in the relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude, which to Hamlet, may as well
be dead. Hamlet is so obsessed with his mother’s heart that he would not dare do anything she
would disapprove of.