In seems that almost every characters in Shakespeare’s Hamlet attempts to control the actions of another. The ghost of Hamlet calls on Hamlet to avenge his death, Polonius uses Ophelia to learn about Hamlet’s mental state, Claudius and  Gertrude order Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet, and Hamlet orders Ophelia “[to] a nunn’ry!” (3.1.120).

For this reason, I find the advice given to Ophelia by her brother Laertes in Act 1 scene 3 to be particularly interesting and a very good idea to keep in mind while reading  Hamlet. Laertes warns Ophelia to be careful romantically involving herself with Hamlet as “his will is not his own, [For he himself is subject to his birth:] He may not, as unvalued persons do, Carve for himself” (1.3.17-20). Laertes is explaining that Hamlet’s decisions are not based on his will alone, rather he must consider what consequences his actions will mean for Denmark.

These lines reveal the presence and importance of a social hierarchy when it expresses the idea that people of lower rank often do not make decisions based on their own free will, but rather are called to action by those of higher social standing. This really confuses the idea of what “action” is in the play.

I have heard many criticisms that Hamlet is a passive character. However, I have come to believe that almost every character in Shakespeare’s Hamlet is passive in some way–either because he does not take physical action and has someone else do his bidding, or because he simply obeys others instead of following will own will. Instead of viewing Hamlet as either active or passive, I like to view him as independent.

(I know that this is a topic that can be debated and I would love to hear what you guys have to say!)