Word, Word, Word of the Year

The Oxford Dictionary's official "2018 English Word of the Year" is toxic -- as it is currently used in the contemporary social phrases toxic relationship, toxic work environment, and toxic masculinity.

These are terms considered to be trending on internet searches and increasingly deployed in the public discourse of our times.  However, I would like to suggest that perhaps there really is nothing new under the sun: think with me for a moment on how this usage applies to Shakespeare's Hamlet: Prince of Denmark.

From the casual chauvinism and mansplaining -- there's another 2018 hot trending term -- of Laertes and his father Polonius in their Act I advice to Ophelia, to the audacious brutality of the crimes of Claudius, Hamlet is replete with toxic relationships.

Consider: Ophelia faces condescension from both her brother and her father, who take turns offering to tell her what to "think" (I.iii.13) and to "teach" (I.iii.110) her why she's wrong.  She makes attempts to interject her own ideas into each conversation, but is rebuffed and belittled both times.  Given Ophelia's limited ability to speak for herself in these scenes, and the sexist motives behind their advice, it seems fair to describe her family relationship as toxic in its contemporary meaning of unhealthy, or stifling: Ophelia is in a family situation where it is difficult for her to self-actualize.

She fares no better in her interactions with Hamlet, who might be justly accused of gaslighting -- one of the 2018 English Word of the Year shortlist candidates -- in his crazed appearance surprising Ophelia "sewing in [her] chamber" (II.i.86) and his outrageous "Get thee to a nunnery!" rant (II.127).  Although I have often wanted to second-guess Hamlet's motives with Ophelia -- imagining that he truly loves her and is trying to get her out of harm's way before all heck breaks loose -- it is hard to overlook the apparent ease with which he slips into the role of the abuser in this scene.  If it's all an act, methinks it is one he's a little too good at.

Toxic masculinity, indeed.

Claudius is perhaps an even better example of this.  His nocturnal carousing -- much to Hamlet's chagrin -- is an embarrassment of national importance.  His fratricidal power-grab would be "murder most foul" (I.v.31) all on its own, but Claudius goes the extra uber-masculine step of sweeping up the Queen as a trophy in his ruthless ambition.  His behind-the-scenes plotting with his male retainers is a recurring theme in the play.  Even his relationship with Hamlet is, from the start, fueled by his view of Hamlet's behavior as "unmanly" (I.ii.96).

Also, in another nod to the 2018 Word of the Year short list: in his one possible moment of redemption, Claudius finds himself unable to cake -- if cakeism (having it both ways) can be used this way -- in the sense of being unable to pray for forgiveness while retaining the power, the crown, and the queen.

Broken hearts, betrayal, and foul play.  Alas -- something is toxic in the state of Denmark.