Activity 1.5

There are 4 major acts that Hamlet did that can be classified in Maslow’s Hierarchy.
They are: The killing of Polonius, the killing of Claudius, the killing of Leartes and when hamlet listens to the Ghost of his father.

The killing of Polonius:
This act can be classified under the Safety section of Maslow’s Hierarchy. He was talking with his mother and he assumed they would be alone. When Polonius made the call for help, Hamlet immediately took to challenge what he considered a threat. He killed Polonius without even realizing who he was. He felt that his and his mother’s safety was jeopardized so he took the appropriate steps to neutralize the threat.

The killing of Leartes:
This act can also be classified under the Safety section. Hamlet and Leartes were dueling and after both Hamlet and Leartes are wounded, both realize that they are to continue fighting until one of them should fall. Hamlet kills Leartes to protect his own livelihood. Although he is unsuccessful in keeping his life, he made attempts to keep it and that is what really counts.

Hamlet listens to his father’s ghost:
This could be considered the Esteem part of the Hierarchy. It could be considered esteem because Hamlet needed a lot of confidence to follow a ghost. He was proving to himself and those with him that he was not too afraid to follow and find out what the requests of a ghost were. He was doing it so he would be able to feel comfortable with himself knowing he did all he could to fulfill the request of his late father.

The killing of Claudius:
This could be considered Self-actualization. Hamlet feels that his reason for being is to kill Claudius once he learns that it was Claudius who was responsible for his father’s death. Having Claudius alive was what Hamlet considered a problem. He took the appropriate measures to solve that problem. He makes it his sloe purpose in life, his being, his thoughts, his morals, all change to accommodate what he must do to rid himself of Claudius.