How+critics+have+interpreted+the+play+in+different+ways+-+Fed,+Seb,+Nabil,+Vivek

Sigmund Freud used the play to support his idea of the Oedipus Complex. In several instances, it is visible that Claudius sparks Hamlet's "repressed childhood wishes" in the form of rage and a want for vengeance on Claudius so that he may take this place with his mother. The closet scene, where Hamlet and his mother are talking in private, has ever since Freud's ideas been portrayed in a very sexual light. "the play is built up on Hamlet's hesitations over fulfilling the task of revenge that is assigned to him; but its text offers no reasons or motives for these hesitations", this contradiction is another of Freud's main criticisms. His idea was that it was Hamlet's unconscious that developed the oedipus complex towards his mother and therefore it is also partly what incited him to murder Claudius.

Another view of the play is based on religion. There are many inferences and contradictions that suggest different view on religion. One of the most prominent is Chatholicism and Puritanism, both very present in England in Shakespears time. According to Catholic beliefs, the ghost of Hamlet's father is in purgatory for sins committed. but the Puritan belief suggests that all ghosts are evil. Furthermore, Hamlet's will to kill Claudius and send him to damnation is a very Catholic based idea since he doesnt do it while he has a chance when Claudius is in prayer. This therefore suggests that Hamlet is Catholic, yet he contemplates suicide at one point. Also, the murder of Claudius is one of the greatest Catholic violations since Claudius is direct family to Hamlet.

Seb __**Critics on Hamlet**__ Many critics have viewed Hamlet and even admitted that the actual play is the source of the problem, and Hamlet as the character is a secondary problem. Thus, leading all critics in general to focus on the characters and their language and imagery or concentrate on the gender issues that the play addresses. Ophelia is a good example of a character that has been criticised for her ambiguity within her character. And most often critics will look for contemporary attitudes and important plays by Shakespeare in attempt to judge how her character was meant to be viewed. It is, however, in feminist criticism and the discussion of gender roles that Ophelia has played a central part. In an attempt to gain new perspectives on her character, the “cultural history” of Ophelia’s representation, both on and off the stage, and the connection between female sexuality and insanity. Relevant Sites; http://www.enotes.com/shakespearean-criticism/hamlet http://hamletguide.com/critics/eliot.htm