The Kilted Writer

In William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet,' Hamlet is the mind character, and Laertes is the body character. That leaves only the spirit character, Ophelia, to address.  The Spirit Character: Ophelia Ophelia comes on the scene as Laertes is preparing to leave for France. Before he leaves, Laertes gives Ophelia some advice about her relationship with Hamlet. He seems to think Hamlet is interested in more than friendship, but less than commitment. She tells him, of his advice: 'Tis in my memory locked And you yourself shall keep the key of it. Ophelia does not believe Laertes, though. She believes Hamlet truly loves her and says just what Laertes wants to hear. She acts like a giddy schoolgirl, as Polonius points out. O: He hath, my lord, of late made many tenders of his affection to me. P: Affection? Pooh! You speak like a green girl Unsifted in such perilous circumstance. Do you believe his tenders, as you call them? As with Laertes, Ophelia see...

The primary body character in Hamlet is Laertes, as will be illustrated below. Many people mis-identify the antagonist of the story as the body character, and this would be an easy mistake in Hamlet, since Claudius has many body characteristics. The body, mind, and spirit characters are all on the side of the protagonist. But as with any rule, there can be exceptions. For the references and citations in these posts, I am using 'Hamlet,' Bantam Books, 1988, ed. David Bevington, fwd. by Joseph Papp The Body Character: Laertes Laertes returns to Denmark for the king's coronation, but is eager to return to France. In Shakespeare's time (and at many times throughout history), France was known for cuisine, arts, and leisurely pursuits. This contrasts well with Hamlet's desire to return to Wittenberg, known for intellectual pursuits and as the birthplace of the Reformation. Claudius's coronation seems like more of a nuisance to Laertes than an hono...

I have decided to address the three character types individually so I can include the citations necessary to illustrate the mind, body, and spirit characteristics. In Shakespeare's 'Hamlet,' the lead character, Hamlet, is the mind character of the story, as I will illustrate in this post. The body and spirit characters are Laertes and Ophelia, respectively, and I will address them in future posts. The Mind Character: Hamlet Hamlet comes onto the scene mourning his father's death and his mother's subsequent marriage to his uncle, Claudius. His mother, Gertrude, asks why things 'seem' a certain way with him, but he responds with what 'is.' "Seems," madam? Nay, it is. I know not "seems." ...These indeed "seem." For they are actions that a man might play But I have that within which passes show; These are but the trappings and the suits of woe When Horatio comes to Hamlet after seeing the former king...