Catharsis can be defined as a cleansing of emotions for the sake of the audience as they sympathize with the main character, also known as the tragic hero. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, catharsis takes place when Hamlet engages in a sword fight with Laertes in ACT 5. sc. 2 because the audience is well aware of the fact that Laertes and Claudius have conspired against Hamlet by agreeing to have him drink from a poisonous cup and to poison the blade as another precaution to insure Hamlet’s death in ACT 4. sc. 7. This causes the audience to sympathize with Hamlet because he does not deserve to die in such a deceiving manor, especially because he has agreed to play a fair game, unlike his contenders, Laertes and Claudius.
Another reason why the audience is forced to feel sorry for Hamlet is because he had the chance to kill Claudius but declines because he does not want to kill him in prayer for the sake of preventing Claudius from going to heaven in ACT 3. sc 3. Clearly Hamlet’s indecision is the cause of his own tragic death because if he would have killed Claudius, Polonius and Ophelia would not have died. It is the deaths of Laertes’s family members that forces Laertes to cheat in order to kill Hamlet. After Hamlet’s mother drinks the poison, and Hamlet is struck by the poisonous blade, it drives the audience to deeply sympathies with Hamlet because it becomes apparent that he has lost everything, including his father, his mother, his woman, and his very own life all because he wanted to avenge his father’s undeserved death.
Hamartia, which can also be defined as a tragic flaw can be identified in Hamlet after the death of Polonius. The irrational slaying of Polonius expresses his tragic flaw because it results in the disasters that are soon to come in ACT 3. sc 4. Although the killing was an accident because Hamlet thinks that Polonius is Claudius, Hamlets actions ignites a series of tragic events that take place because of his horrible mistake. Hamlet’s obsessive pursuit to avenge his father’s death causes him to become careless because of his blind passion. His heated obsession forces him to react in haste, which results in the death of an innocent man.
The play definitely provides the audience with an emotional release, especially when the audience sees that Hamlet mourns for Ophelia and reveals himself and his feelings for Ophelia to Laertes in ACT 5. sc. 1. When Laertes conspires with Claudius to murder Hamlet with poison, the audience is forced to sympathize with Hamlet because it becomes apparent that he is an honorable and compassionate person who is suffering tremendously because of the unjust death of his father. The audience is also forced to feel bad for Hamlet when he tells Horatio to inform Fortinbras of the events which led to his death. The fact that Fortinbras orders a military funeral for Hamlet gives the audience an opportunity for an emotional release in ACT 5. sc. 2.
Shakespeare’s Hamlet successfully reveals catharsis and hamartia through Hamlet’s indecision, and by highlighting the tragic losses he endures because of the unfair death of his father. The audience is guided to believe that Hamlet did not deserve to die or suffer the great losses that he did in the tragic play.
Works Cited
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet (Folger Shakespeare Library). Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine Eds. New York, NY: Washington Square Press, 2005.