In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, the character of Hamlet has many relationships with all characters. A human relationship is a logical or natural association between two or more people. Hamlet has many of these associations for example with King Hamlet's Ghost, Gertrude, Claudius, Ophelia, Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Many of his relationships are just and unjust according to the character's flaws and feelings.
The ghost of King Hamlet played an important role. The first interaction between King Hamlet's ghost was in Act 1, Hamlet is brave when he goes with the ghost that looks like his father even though his friends warn him that the ghost may be evil Do not, my lord. Hamlet's actions let him find out about Claudius' devious murder of his brother, King Hamlet. The ghost of King Hamlet has described Claudius as "That incestuous, that adulterate beast". King Hamlet wants Hamlet to get revenge against Claudius for killing him, but he does not want Gertrude to get hurt in the process. Hamlet therefore delays in killing Claudius because he needs to find out if his mother has anything to do with the treachery, he also need proof that Claudius did in fact perform this murder.
Hamlet respects his mother Gertrude despite the sin she has committed against his father. Gertrude's fondness and helpfulness to protect her son is displayed throughout the play. Also when Hamlet attempts to get Gertrude to believe him that Claudius killed King Hamlet, she thinks that Hamlet has gone mad. She believes he is her much too changed son. He wants his mother to take this opportunity to save herself from Claudius while she still can. Hamlets depression is a mixture between anger and bitterness towards his mothers oer hasty remarriage. Hamlet, although being angry at his mother, also believes she could not control her actions, he refers to her as weak. Frailty thy name is woman.
The relationship between Claudius and Hamlet has many hidden meanings. Hamlet dismissed Claudius in the company of others at the very beginning of the play "A little more than kin, and less than kind", this reveals at a very early stage that Hamlet does not respect Claudius. Act 3, Scene 3 presented a play performing a similar murder to the murder of King Hamlet. Claudius, who was watching this play, felt remorse for killing his brother, King Hamlet, and had to leave. Hamlet finally found definite proof that Claudius committed this sin and that the ghost had been telling the truth. When Hamlet found him, he was praying and so Hamlet felt that he could not have sweet revenge for his father because of the holy act he was doing. Hamlet, still finding it difficult to seek revenge, applied his anger from the judgment of his mother to kill who he thought was Claudius behind the curtains, but in fact was Polonius. Hamlet showed ruthlessness as he uncaringly dismissed the body. He refers to Polonius as a rash, intruding fool.
Ophelia, showing once again her lack of regard for herself and her desires, agrees to participate in the scheme to see if Hamlet is acting crazy because of unrequited love. She chooses to lie to Hamlet rather than reveal her father. This is her fatal flaw. Hamlet, knowing she is lying to him, goes on a rant and denounces his feelings for her. He disregards her and compares her to all women, as weak and refers to their infidelity. Ophelia is very hurt by Hamlets remarks and is confused by his sudden transformation.
Polonius, the Kings royal assistant, has a preoccupation with appearances. He always wants to keep up the appearance of a loving and caring person. In reality Polonius lies, and manipulates people. Hamlet is openly rude to Polonius. Hamlet, in front of Claudius and Gertrude, insults Polonius by calling him a fishmonger, implying that all Polonius is interested in is finding out information. Hamlet also offended Polonius by insulting his daughter. Hamlet kills Polonius in Act 3, he was eavesdropping and hiding behind the curtains. Hamlet thought that it was Claudius behind the curtains but, when he discovered it was Polonius, Hamlet remained unbothered by what he had just done. This was very unjust to Polonius. It reveals to us that Hamlet has become rather sinister towards the humanity.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are two of Hamlets childhood friends who when asked by the king, to try find out what is troubling the young prince came immediately. The pair visit Hamlet pretending to be his friends, when in truth they are only there because the king asked them to find the truth. There is some irony within the twins, they are asked by the king to find out the truth by hiding within a lie. Hamlet realises the purpose for their visit which is to dig into his soul to find the real reason for his recent actions. Hamlet is hurt that they have put the kings desires before his own.
With all of the corruption and back stabbing in Denmark, Hamlet thought out every decision with great intelligence. Hamlet's relationships with the ghost, Gertrude, Claudius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were all very just and deserving. As Hamlet finds out they all contain lies and have hidden intentions within them. Hamlet's blinding rage against Polonius was very hurtful and unjust. As Marcellus said it best, Something is rotten in Denmark. This sums up the lies which have replaced or covered the true state of each character in the play.
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