Which of the following statements best describes T. S. Eliot’s assertion that Shakespeare’s Hamlet is an ‘artistic failure’?

Correct option is A

Explanation:

T.S. Eliot, in his critical essay Hamlet and His Problems, discusses Shakespeare’s Hamlet as an "artistic failure," arguing that the protagonist's emotions in the play are not adequately objectified.

By "objectified," Eliot means that Hamlet’s internal emotional turmoil, especially his indecisiveness and obsession with revenge, is not given the kind of external action or structure that would make it artistically compelling in a way that drives the plot forward in a balanced manner.

Eliot’s key criticism is that Shakespeare does not allow Hamlet’s emotional state to be manifested in a way that engages the audience with coherent action or resolution. Hamlet is paralyzed by his emotions, and this paralysis leads to a lack of action and a stunted plot progression. His introspective monologues, while philosophically rich, create a dramatic tension that is ultimately unproductive because Hamlet fails to act decisively.

Information Booster:

In his essay "Hamlet and His Problems," Eliot contends that Hamlet does not succeed artistically because

Shakespeare fails to construct a dramatic action that effectively translates Hamlet's deep emotional and philosophical crises into a force that drives the play forward.

Hamlet's inability to act and his excessive introspection make the play seem disjointed and lacking in narrative momentum.

Objectification of Emotion in Literature:

The concept of "objectifying" emotion refers to the idea that characters' emotional states should be externalized or demonstrated in ways that create coherent actions or consequences within the plot.

Hamlet’s emotional crisis is largely internal, expressed in soliloquies like "To be or not to be," where he ruminates on life and death, but his emotions fail to propel him into decisive action.

Eliot’s Views on Hamlet:

Eliot argues that Hamlet’s failure to "objectify" his emotional state leads to a lack of plot progression.

Instead of acting on his emotions, Hamlet is paralyzed by them, creating a play that is philosophically profound but dramatically inert.

Eliot suggests that for a tragedy to be effective, emotions should be acted upon in a way that furthers the narrative, but in Hamlet, the character’s inability to act robs the play of the dramatic intensity expected of a Shakespearean tragedy.

The Concept of Artistic Failure:

According to Eliot, the true purpose of art is to produce a cohesive and impactful emotional experience in the audience.

In Hamlet, the overwhelming emotional experience of Hamlet’s indecision and melancholy is not properly externalized into action, and thus the play fails to fulfill its potential as a cohesive dramatic work.

About the Character of Hamlet:

Hamlet’s intellectual and emotional depth, including his soliloquies, are often celebrated for their psychological complexity.

However, according to Eliot, they come at the cost of a clear, externally driven plot. Hamlet's delay in taking action to avenge his father’s murder, despite the knowledge of his duty, represents a critical flaw that undermines the work’s artistic achievement in Eliot’s view.