Last Friday, a topic of the class discussion about Hamlet caught my attention: Is this
world-famous character a coward? He certainly considered himself one, but what
is behind this idea of cowardice?
 |
| Poor, tormented Hamlet. |
There are
many theories behind Hamlet’s delay in consummating his revenge that both
support and disapprove the presence of cowardice in his actions. For example,
Paul A. Cantor – citing Ernest Jones, a disciple of the Psychologist Sigmund
Freud- says there is even a psychoanalytic approach to Hamlet’s attitude,
relating his cowardice with his reluctance to kill the person who has achieved
his very own inner desires: killing his father and marry his mother, a typical
case of Oedipus complex. In this sense, Hamlet’s unwillingness to understand
his own true self, but ultimate commitment to develop his revenge anyway, transforms
him into a hero; or, in simple words, cowardice turns into heroism. A pretty
interesting point of view, really.
But for me
it is not as recherché as that.
Usopp is
one of my favourite characters in manga/animé series One Piece. He is a coward
sniper, with a persistent tendency to tell lies, whose dream is to become a
brave warrior of the seas, just like his father. And it is not only because I
love the series – because, Jesus, I just LOVE the series-, but this tiny, wimpy
character has taught me something really important. During his journey with all
the others protagonists, Usopp has shown bravery without even noticing: he has
followed the Captain’s decisions in spite of his initial fear, faced incredibly
powerful opponents despite the imminent death, and improved as a pirate, as a
sniper and as a person, for the sake of his friends; showing that being brave
is not the opposite of being coward, but the ability to step forward even if
your legs are shaking in fear.
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| Usopp as the hero, Sogeking. |
“But we
were talking about Hamlet”, you might be saying. Well, this is my theory. A
very simple theory, but supported by my own knowledge of cowardice and bravery:
Hamlet finally revenged his father and that is what matters. He took his time,
he was afraid, but he just could not let his uncle and his mother get away with
it. His sense of honour is what finally transformed him into a hero, just like Usopp
develops his alter-ego, “Sogeking”.
I invite
you to comment your own theory in this post. Is Hamlet a coward or not? Was
Freud’s disciple right? Will Luffy, Usopp and friends find One Piece?
PS: The answer to the last question is definitely “yes”.
PS: The answer to the last question is definitely “yes”.
Cantor,
Paul A. (1989) Shakespeare: Hamlet.
Cambridge:Cambridge University Press.
Straw Hat
Pirates Crew member, Usopp. Retrieved from: http://onepiece.wikia.com/wiki/Usopp
ResponderEliminarDear Carlos:
Very interesting post, I can see your point. For me, Hamlet was the bravest of all; he was the only one that decided to risk his own life to take revenge. I think he was not afraid but waiting for the right moment to do it.
I do not know if he can be called a hero but at least I know that he cannot be called a coward, if you give a thought to it, he was the only authentic character in the play, the only character willing to do something for somebody else no matter the cost.
I like the way Hamlet acts in the play, to me he is too complex to be classified into a category but it is up to every reader to have his/her own interpretation of the play.