The Social and Psychological Influences on Hamlet In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the influence of Hamlet’s psychological and social states display his dread of death but his need to avenge his father’s death. In turn, these influences illuminate the meaning of the play by revealing Hamlet’s innermost thoughts on life and death and the effect of religion. Despite the fact that Hamlet’s first instincts were reluctance and hesitation, he knows that he must avenge his father’s death. While Hamlet is conscious of avenging his father’s death, he is contemplating