Hamlet as a Renaissance Man
What is a Renaissance Man?
The basic definition of a Renaissance man is a person with many talents or areas of
knowledge. A Renaissance man does not have to fit all of these characteristics but ideally
does.
Characteristics of a Renaissance Man:
● Intelligence – A deep thinker with a highly analytical and developed brain.
● Knowledgeable – Absorbs information easily and has knowledge in a wide variety of
fields.
● Artistic – Can sing, play an instrument, write, paint, sculpt, dance, or express
themselves through fine arts.
● Physical – In good physical shape.
● Social – Possesses excellent social skills and maintains strong relationships.
● Cool – Smooth and sophisticated.
Like Father, Like Son: Hamlet’s Inspiration
While Hamlet himself is a budding Renaissance man, his true inspiration, as well as his
motive for revenge, comes from his father.
Maynard Mack expands upon this idea by stating:
"The conjunction of Hyperion with Jove, Mars with Mercury, makes old Hamlet a
true Renaissance ideal, displaying a perfect balance of virtues—and indeed the
seal of every god."
Thus, the challenge for Hamlet is to live up to the "Hercules" that is his namesake.
The Gods and the Renaissance Man
The characteristics of a Renaissance man align with the characteristics of a god. A king, as
the supposed messenger of God, strives to embody these traits. However, Hamlet’s
humanist ideas further suggest that the Renaissance man is not divine but human.
Hamlet sees both the good and bad in people and realizes the futility of trying to be "perfect
like the gods." Instead, he believes people should strive to improve humanity.
Death and Hamlet
If humanists celebrate life, then Hamlet’s constant contemplation of suicide contradicts the
notion of him being a humanist. However, Shakespeare’s incorporation of death strengthens
Hamlet’s humanist ideals by illustrating his uncertainty about life after death.
Through his famous soliloquy “To be or not to be,” Hamlet deeply reflects on the meaning
of life and death. This level of introspection ultimately reinforces his identity as a
Renaissance man.
Hamlet vs. Fortinbras: A Study in Contrast
From the intelligent, ethical, and paralyzed mind of Hamlet, we contrast him with his foil:
Fortinbras.
Fortinbras is more like old Hamlet than Hamlet himself. He is impulsive, audacious, and
"god-like" in his pursuit of power and revenge. However, despite his strategic brilliance and
leadership qualities, Fortinbras is not a Renaissance man.
Like Claudius and old Hamlet, Fortinbras seeks to be a god rather than a better man.
Hamlet and the Gods
Hamlet is often associated with several gods, each symbolizing a key aspect of his
character:
● Hyperion – The Titan god of light. Hamlet embodies Hyperion by trying to "enlighten"
others about the corrupt deeds in Denmark.
● Jove – The Roman equivalent of Zeus and the king of all gods. Hamlet's mother,
Gertrude, has broken the sacred marriage oath, and Hamlet feels compelled to
restore order.
● Mars – The god of war and an agricultural guardian. Hamlet must cleanse Denmark,
which he describes as “an unweeded garden.”
● Mercury – The god of commerce, caring, and eloquence, but also known for being
erratic and volatile. Hamlet fails to embody Mercury due to his famous hesitation and
inability to act.
Conclusion
● The definition of a Renaissance man—one based on intelligence and artistry—has
been embodied by many historical figures, from George Washington to Maya
Angelou.
● In Hamlet’s time, being a Renaissance man meant aspiring to the characteristics of
the gods. Under this definition, Claudius, Fortinbras, and Hamlet all qualify as
Renaissance men.
● Hamlet stands apart from Claudius and Fortinbras because he fully embraces
humanist ideals. He realizes that humanity must improve itself before comparing
itself to the gods.
Through this, Shakespeare helped redefine the Renaissance man, shaping the modern
understanding of the term.
