Hamlet's Oedipal Inhibitions

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Claudius’ talons swept up all that he had ever desired. This hate is what drives Hamlet to aspire to kill Claudius, his other, and remove him from the palace. Despite his strong feelings of resentment, Hamlet has great difficulty with successfully killing his uncle. He tries to murder him after he hears him confess to murdering Hamlet Sr., but draws his sword back and vows to kill him when “he is drunk asleep, or in his rage, / Or in th’incestuous pleasure of his bed” (III,III, 94). These proclamations are unsubstantial, however, as Hamlet never goes through his plans. What is stopping him? His inner restrictions all lead back to his sexual feelings towards his mother and her divine status. He feels guilt because if he kills Claudius, then both of Gertrude’s husbands would have been tragically slain. No matter how angry his mother may make him feel, she is still his authority and therefore, he places her and her well being on a pedestal. This conflict constantly inhibits Hamlet from following through with his plans to murder Claudius until Gertrude is eventually murdered herself. Her death erases all inhibitions in Hamlet’s conscience and he finally is able to overcome his Oedipal conflict due to the removal of his authority. With his mother out of the way, he can finally commit to his words and get rid of his other. He shouts at Claudius, “ Here, thou incestrous, murd’rous, damned Dane, / Drink off this potion. Is thy union here? / Follow my mother” (V,II, 356). By the end of the play, Hamlet has fashioned himself into this ruthless hero who is no longer suppressed by his inner Oedipal complex. Freud’s potent theory that dominated Hamlet’s mind and body for so long is finally expunged, leaving a man with a vengeance.

Conflict takes a toll on its victim. It causes stress, hurts the brain, and provokes erratic actions. However, once this demon is resolved, one can regain control of their mind and is free to act as they please. The Oedipal Complex relentlessly tormented and tortured Hamlet, but as soon as his mother’s death offered him a way out, he gladly took it and ran. By overcoming this complex, Hamlet fashioned himself into an independent again who is no longer someone’s submissive. He was able to take the reigns of his life and finally murder Claudius, which was something not possible until after his authority was removed. This a feeling that everyone should be able to experience, as no one should be bound by limits. Authorities and others should not hinder one’s abilities and everyone should do what is necessary to fashion themselves into liberated individuals.