![]() ![]() Could the Oedipal tones in Hamlet be Shakespeare’s prediction of what would result? Only Shakespeare knows. Similarly, in Shakespeare’s time, many outlets for “inappropriate” sexuality, such as whorehouses and premarital sex, were being repressed by religious leaders. It would not be surprising, then, if familial love became incestuous lust, when all other sexual outlets are exhausted. This love is considered proper within the court. The idea of familial bonds reoccurs in Hamlet-Hamlet’s quest to avenge Hamlet Senior, Laertes’ rage at his father’s death, Fortinbras Junior’s attempt to overthrow Claudius and redeem his father. This highly-repressed sexuality would then be transferred to those who Hamlet and Ophelia can safely feel affection for-their relatives. ![]() He ponders both the spiritual aftermath of death, embodied in the ghost, and the physical remainders of the dead, such as by Yorick’s skull and the decaying corpses in the. Denmark’s court in Hamlet is sexually repressive: Ophelia is told by Polonius her relationship with Hamlet must end Laertes lectures Ophelia on proper sexuality (that is, none) Hamlet must break off his relationship with Ophelia to continue his schemes even Laertes, who is not present at court, is spied upon by Polonius and chastised by Ophelia not to be promiscuous. In the aftermath of his father’s murder, Hamlet is obsessed with the idea of death, and over the course of the play he considers death from a great many perspectives. Perhaps Shakespeare intended such Oedipal themes as social commentary. In other words, Hamlet’s fantasy Gertrude-whom he conflates with the real Gertrude-also possesses such incestuous longings. Hamlet is not merely imagining Gertrude and Claudius (standing in for Hamlet) engaging in sexual activity, he is projecting his own desire onto Gertrude. This, too, is based on Hamlet’s unconscious fantasy. Not only that, but Hamlet has a very low opinion of his mother’s ability to resist sexual overtures. Even in his mental erotica, though, Hamlet has not fully acknowledged his desires for Gertrude, as it is Claudius who molests Gertrude, not Hamlet. In fact, it almost appears that Hamlet has been fantasizing about his mother’s sexuality, creating an erotic tale within his own mind that he spills forth to Gertrude. While his fear of betrayal may be real, Hamlet’s lengthy description of sexual activities is a plain product of his Oedipal subconscious. ![]() He begs Gertrude not to “let the bloat King tempt you again to bed, / pinch wanton on your cheek, call you his mouse, / and let him for a pair of reechy kisses, / or paddling in your neck with his damnéd fingers, / make you to ravel all this matter out.” (3.4.166-170) For a man who cannot bear to think of his mother being sexually active, Hamlet goes into great detail about the particulars of Claudius’ interrogation. Once more before he departs, Hamlet lingers on the sordid details of his mother’s relationship with Claudius. ![]()
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