Author Izaak Walton noted: “The person who loses his conscience has nothing left worth keeping. » Hamlet's characters constantly struggle with the power of their conscience, tempted to satisfy their most intimate desires. Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, is the embodiment of the power of conscience in the play. Although at first he is governed by his conscience, he only begins to carry out his father's will as he grows further from his moral sense. However, Hamlet's other characters also feel the power of conscience as they reflect on the actions they are about to perform and their past deeds. Shakespeare uses the struggle between morality and immorality to create characters who have real depth and who the audience can connect with. The presence and duality of consciousness in Shakespeare's Hamlet illustrates the depth of Laertes, Claudius and Hamlet. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayThe depth of Laertes is evident in his struggle with his conscience in his quest to avenge the murder of his father, Polonius. When Laertes learns of his father's murder, he returns from France furious. He seeks immediate revenge and cries: “Conscience and grace, to the deepest abyss!” (4.5.131) Clearly, Laertes is willing to ignore his conscience and “dare damnation” (4.5.132) to satisfy his own sense of justice. Laertes is also willing to commit the most disgusting acts imaginable in revenge. When Claudius asks him how far he is willing to go, Laertes exclaims that he would “slit [Hamlet’s] throat in the church!” » (4.7.124) Laertes is ready to kill Hamlet in cold blood in the most sacred place, the Church. However, when Laertes confronts Hamlet, he begins to feel guilty for carrying out Claudius' plan. As an aside, Laertes reveals that he feels that poisoning Hamlet "is almost contrary to my conscience." (5.2.274) Although he carries out the plan, the presence of Laertes' conscience adds depth to his character by displaying his inherent goodness. In the end, Laertes dies with a clear conscience as he asks Hamlet to “exchange forgiveness with me [Laertes]” (5.2.307). By illustrating the duality of Laertes' consciousness, Shakespeare creates a three-dimensional character rather than a typical man seeking revenge. Like Laertes, Claudius also struggles with his conscience and this conflict portrays him as a real character rather than a standard villain. In contrast, Claudius is able to completely ignore his conscience when carrying out his plans. This ability is illustrated when he assassinates the king while he sleeps. As the ghost describes, in my hour of safety your uncle stole cursed hebona juice from a vial, and into the porches of my ears poured the leprous distillate (1.5.61-64). Claude's total lack of consciousness described by the ghost immediately classifies him among the bad guys. However, when Claudius reflects on his actions, he demonstrates the moral struggle he is going through. In a monologue, he reflects: “What an intelligent boost this speech gives to my conscience! The cheek of the prostitute, embellished by the art of plastic, is no uglier to what helps her than my act is to my most painted word. (3.1.50-54) Claudius knows that his actions and lies are immoral and he buries this guilt deep within himself. Claudius uses his lies to deceive others, but in doing so he believes he is no better than a prostitute masking her venereal diseases with heavy makeup. By showing Claudius' guilt, Shakespeare establishes him as a real person - not aentirely bad person. The clearest illustration of Claudius's struggle with his conscience occurs when he attempts to pray. He cries: O, my offense is serious, it smells like heaven; He carries with him the oldest curse: the murder of a brother. (3.3.36-38) Claudius realizes that his sins are evil and very offensive to the ultimate judge of morality, Paradise. However, Claudius does not repent because he feels unworthy of forgiveness because he still possesses “those effects for which I committed the murder” (3.3.54). Obviously, the duality of Claude's immorality and feelings of guilt expands his character. When given the opportunity to address the audience directly, Claudius demonstrates that he is not a simple villain. Instead, he is simply a person whose desires have swept resistance from his consciousness. Unlike Claudius, Hamlet's struggles with his conscience are obvious and, ultimately, an integral part of his character. After the ghost asks Hamlet for revenge, Hamlet procrastinates as he considers the moral implications of killing another person. Angered by his inaction, he cries, That I, the son of a dear murdered father, Driven to my vengeance by heaven and hell, Must like a whore unpack my heart with words (2.2.550-553) Hamlet is frustrated by his inability to act without moral consideration. He considers himself a coward and lacking passion for not immediately completing his father's quest and wants to stop analyzing the situation and act decisively. However, his conscience prevents him from satisfying these urges and in doing so gives him immense depth as a hero. Additionally, as someone obsessed with his own conscience, Hamlet realizes that he can invoke a reaction from Claudius' conscience to ensure that Claudius is his father's murderer. When he comes up with the idea for the play, he notes: “More relative than that: the play is the thing by which I will catch the conscience of the king. (2.2.571-572) Hamlet wishes to use the power of conscience to ensure that the ghost tells him the truth. This exploitation of consciousness illustrates Hamlet's deep awareness. However, Hamlet also displays his immorality in the play. He completely ignores his conscience when he murders Polonius in a fit of rage. He simply comments: “Miserable, reckless and intrusive, farewell! (3.4.32) Hamlet completely ignores the fact that he killed Polonius in cold blood, but instead attempts to justify the murder. At this point, Hamlet loses his moral perfection and some of the audience's respect. Furthermore, he disregards his conscience when he sends his former friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to be executed in England. He justifies to Horatio: Why, man, they had sex for this job. They are not near my consciousness; their defeat grows, by their own insinuation. (5.2. 160-162) Hamlet shows absolutely no remorse in sending his school friends to their deaths. He does not consider the morality of his actions and instead attempts to justify their execution. Most rational people would agree that punishment for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's betrayal is reasonable, but death seems too high a price. Once again, Hamlet's judgment undermines his initial moral perfection as he moves away from the image of the ideal hero. His disintegrating morality prepares him for the murder he must commit to avenge his father. The presence of a conscience and his moral duality distinguish Hamlet from traditional heroes. Although he is a great man, he is obviously imperfect. Clearly, the depth of Shakespeare's Hamlet character is illustrated by the moral struggles of Laertes, Claudius, and Hamlet. Each character has a different duality of consciousness. Laertes ignores.