Hamlet: A misunderstood hero

Dr Salia Rex’s ‘Hamlet and Arjuna: Heroes of a Feather’ makes one do a double take on Hamlet

KOCHI: To all those who have read, learned or watched William Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’, the main character passes off as an indecisive hero, a mad man, a good-for-nothing lover and procrastinating prince who failed as a son and prospective ruler. However, Dr Salia Rex’s ‘Hamlet and Arjuna: Heroes of a Feather’ makes one do a double take on Hamlet.The book, a re-reading of the play in the light of the

Bhagavad Gita, focuses on the positive aspects of Hamlet.

Salia Rex

 “I have always had a tendency to support underdogs,” says Salia. “Hamlet’s negative aspects become the focal point just because he is concerned about the moral uprightness of the situation.”

In the book, Salia presents the thoughts, words and actions of Hamlet as an alter ego of Arjuna. Both the heroes are in a conflict of thoughts - Hamlet about avenging his father and Arjuna regarding the Kurukshetra war. 

“There is a lot of action taking place, but it’s all in their minds,” says Salia. “Towards the end, both of them become real heroes when they realise the absolute reality of life. They understand the finiteness of human life, its limitations, and the infinite nature and strength of Providence. Hamlet gets enlightened in the ‘Graveyard Scene’ in Act V, while Arjuna’s enlightenment happens with Krishna.”

‘Hamlet and Arjuna: Heroes of a Feather’ is a comparative study between ‘Hamlet’ and the Bhagavad Gita. In the book, the author analyses Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Veda Vyasa’s Arjuna on the basis of their negative traits, thought processes and final action. One can find the characters converge at one too many points. However, while Arjuna emerges victorious and alive after the Kurukshetra war, Hamlet succeeds in avenging his father but is fatally injured. 

But before his death, Hamlet ensures Denmark is in safe hands. Yes, both characters prove to be real heroes.The comparative analysis was Salia’s PhD thesis which bore fruit after nine to 10 years of research. She is a professor of English Literature and currently the Head of the English Department at St Paul’s College, Kalamassery.