Student Question
What do love and marriage in Hamlet reveal to modern readers?
Quick answer:
Love and marriage in Hamlet reveal timeless themes of convenience and power over genuine affection, reflecting that people today are not so different from those in Shakespeare's era. Marriages like Gertrude and Claudius's were often arranged for political or financial gain, while Hamlet and Ophelia's relationship underscores the importance of trust and communication. The play also highlights universal familial emotional distress, reminding modern readers of the enduring challenges in relationships.
I think your question should be what does Hamlet tell us about love and marriage today. It tells us that people today are not very different from people of Shakespeare's time. We still have people who marry for money or power or fame just as they did back then. What does the Hamlet's life tell me about myself? Not much. I've never been a Danish prince whose father was murdered and whose uncle married his mother and took his throne. It is okay to admit that you cannot identify with a literary character.
Hamlet is not a story about love and marriage. It is a story of death, revenge, and psychology. Hamlet has rejected love. Gertrude marries less for love than for convenience. Who knows if Claudius loved Gertrude, or if he just really wanted to be King?
Ophelia is a loveable and touching character. Her nature is abundantly affectionate. Whether...
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she directs it to her father, brother, or Hamlet, her loved is perhaps wounded but ever faithful.
In the time period of this play, most marriages were arranged as a merger of great companies is arranged in today's world. They were arranged for monetary or political advantage and were usually, but not always, devoid of love.
In today's world, most people marry for love although it is true that some still take place for financial gain or fame.
One thing that Hamlet's life can tell us about our own is that emotional distress and anger within one's family is universal. It is not specific to gender, race, religion, economic status, or education level. What happens to us can not be controlled, but we are able to control how we react to it.
How does Hamlet's view on love and marriage relate to modern marriages?
In reading your question, I did not instantly think of Gertrude and Claudius, the only married couple in the play. Instead I thought of Hamlet and Ophelia, who never marry but who (I believe) were in love with each other.
I think what we can learn about this couple is how NOT to treat each other. Hamlet knew he loved Ophelia, but he also knew that she was being controlled by her father, Polonius. Unfortunately, Hamlet did not trust Ophelia enough to let her know what was going on - he used her as a tool for his fake madness just as much as Polonius used her to see what was really troubling Hamlet. Hamlet was the prince - If he had gone to Polonius and told him that he loved Ophelia and wanted to marry her, I don't think anyone would have stopped him. But he got so caught up in this revenge plot that he forgot about this young woman who probably, given the chance, would have stood by his side and helped him.
Trust and honesty with one's partner is something we can all learn from this tragic couple.