I asked ChatGPT this morning something that I’ve been pondering while working my way through the Kenneth Branagh film adaptation of “Hamlet.” I asked, given that it has been well established that Shakespeare read the John Florio translation of Montaigne’s essays before writing Hamlet, is it possible to view Hamlet himself as taking a Pyrrhonist approach to his situation throughout the play? Here’s the ChatGPT response:
Yes, it’s absolutely possible to view Hamlet as taking a Pyrrhonist approach to his situation, and this lens offers a fascinating way to interpret his character. Pyrrhonism, which emphasizes skepticism, the suspension of judgment, and the avoidance of dogmatic beliefs, aligns with many aspects of Hamlet’s behavior and philosophy in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Key Parallels Between Hamlet and Pyrrhonism
1.Suspension of Judgment:
Pyrrhonists advocate suspending judgment (epoché) when faced with uncertainty, rather than rushing to conclusions. Hamlet’s famous indecisiveness mirrors this principle. He spends much of the play questioning what he knows, whether the ghost is truthful, and what course of action is morally and practically right. For example:
•“The spirit that I have seen / May be the devil: and the devil hath power / To assume a pleasing shape” (Act II, Scene 2).
Hamlet’s doubt about the ghost’s authenticity reflects a refusal to commit to belief without certainty.
2.Endless Inquiry:
Pyrrhonists embrace continuous questioning without seeking final answers, and Hamlet embodies this intellectually restless spirit. His soliloquies are filled with probing questions about existence, morality, and the nature of reality:
•“To be, or not to be: that is the question” (Act III, Scene 1).
This iconic reflection on life and death showcases his tendency to grapple with existential dilemmas rather than resolve them definitively.
3.Distrust of Appearances:
Pyrrhonism warns against taking appearances at face value, urging skepticism about the reliability of the senses and perceptions. Hamlet repeatedly doubts the surface reality of things:
•“Seems, madam! Nay, it is; I know not ‘seems’” (Act I, Scene 2).
His distrust of appearances—whether in his mother’s grief, Claudius’s piety, or the ghost’s intentions—parallels Pyrrhonist caution.
4.Critique of Human Knowledge:
Montaigne, heavily influenced by Pyrrhonism, argues that human knowledge is limited and uncertain. Hamlet echoes this skepticism in his disdain for human pretensions to wisdom and control:
•“What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty… and yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust?” (Act II, Scene 2).
This reflects a Pyrrhonist view of human fallibility and the futility of placing too much faith in reason.
5.Inaction as a Form of Wisdom:
Hamlet’s hesitancy to act could be interpreted as aligning with the Pyrrhonist avoidance of rash or dogmatic decisions. He resists taking revenge until he feels certain of the moral and practical implications, even though this leads to frustration and self-reproach:
•“Thus conscience does make cowards of us all” (Act III, Scene 1).
Here, “conscience” can be read as the internal deliberation that suspends judgment and prevents decisive action.
Pyrrhonism’s Limitations in Hamlet’s Case
While Hamlet’s skepticism and deliberation reflect Pyrrhonist tendencies, they also lead to his downfall. Montaigne might argue that Hamlet’s failure is not in his doubt but in his inability to achieve the equanimity (ataraxia) that Pyrrhonism aims for. Instead of finding peace in uncertainty, Hamlet is tormented by it, suggesting that he lacks the emotional detachment that a true Pyrrhonist would strive for.
Broader Context: Shakespeare’s Engagement with Montaigne
If Shakespeare indeed read Montaigne’s essays in John Florio’s translation, Hamlet might reflect a deliberate exploration of Pyrrhonist ideas. Montaigne’s essay Of the Inconsistency of Our Actions (Book II, Chapter 1) discusses how human behavior is shaped by circumstance and contradiction, themes central to Hamlet. Hamlet’s internal conflict and vacillation could be Shakespeare’s way of dramatizing Montaigne’s insights into human complexity and the challenges of navigating a world without certainties.
Conclusion
Viewing Hamlet through the lens of Pyrrhonism enriches our understanding of his character and the play as a whole. His skepticism, questioning, and refusal to commit to action mirror the core tenets of Pyrrhonism, but his inability to find peace within uncertainty highlights the tension between intellectual doubt and emotional turmoil. This interpretation also underscores the possible influence of Montaigne on Shakespeare, revealing a philosophical depth to Hamlet that continues to captivate audiences and scholars alike.
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