Hamlet: character motivation and interaction

Hamlet’s Motivation

Hamlet’s primary motivation is driven by revenge for his father’s death. His need to avenge his father’s murder pushes the plot forward.
He also struggles with existential crisis and the meaning of life, which is seen in his famous soliloquy, “To be or not to be.”
His indecisiveness or procrastination is a significant characteristic that influences his actions and failure to immediately act upon his revenge.
His reluctance to kill Claudius is also driven by his moral dilemma. He questions the morality of murder, even when justified as revenge.

Ophelia’s actions are mainly driven by her obedience and loyalty to her father Polonius and brother Laertes. Her conforming nature is a contrast to Hamlet’s rebellion.
Her love for Hamlet also motivates her actions, seen in her distress over Hamlet’s apparent madness.
The tragic end of Ophelia can also be viewed as a result of the societal and familial pressures, highlighting the constraints on women’s roles in Elizabethan society.

Claudius’ driving force is his lust for power, which leads him to murder his own brother and marry Gertrude.
He is often driven by guilt and fear, especially concerning the repercussions of his sinful actions which makes him paranoid.

Gertrude’s motivations can be interpreted in different ways: her guileless love for her son Hamlet, her desire for stability and status that motivates her hasty marriage to Claudius, or her unawareness or denial of the truth about her husband’s murder.

Hamlet’s relationship with Claudius is one of antagonism and suspicion since Hamlet sees him as a murderous usurper.
His interactions with Gertrude are full of resentment and disappointment due to her hasty marriage to Claudius after King Hamlet’s death.
With Ophelia, initially of love, turns to cruelty and indifference as Hamlet descends into feigned madness.
His dynamic with Horatio is based on trust and respect. Horatio is one of the very few characters Hamlet genuinely trusts.
His interaction with Polonius frequently involves mocking and disparagement, indicating Hamlet’s disdain for Polonius’ manipulative and obsequious tendencies.