Question

Hamlet delays because he cannot punish Claudius for doing what he himself wished to do as a child and, unconsciously, still wishes to do: he would be punishing himself. (“Critical Strategies for Reading,” p. 2010)

Which critical strategy is exemplified in the passage above?
A. Historical strategy
B .Feminist criticism
C. Marxist criticism
D. Psychological strategy

Answer 1

Psychological strategy

Answer 2

D. Psychological strategy

This criticism of Hamlet takes a psychological approach, looking at Hamlet's childhood and how that is affecting the way he is acting (or not acting) at the time of the text. Blaming parental issues on his current state is an insight into his psychological context.