KidWallabyMaster591
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Essay Question:
“Doubting is strenuous business; in the case of Hamlet it is
heroic. His spiritual heroism is ironically contrasted
throughout the play with the physical heroism of
Fortinbras who blindly carries through his own revenge
action without questioning its morality. Hamlet may
torment himself with his inability to redeem his family
honour by mass slaughter, indeed must torment himself,
but the way he has chosen though painful and dangerous
is the right way” (Germaine Greer). Why does Hamlet
delay? Is he right to do so?
Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” is a tragic play that revolves around the titular character’s inner confusion and hesitation to make important decisions. A. C. Bradley describes Hamlet as sensitive to the world’s beauty, rendering him passive due to the world’s evil. However, Greer argues that his moral vacuity is his weakness and leads to tragedy.
Hamlet’s indecisiveness in avenging his father’s death contributes to the play’s unfolding tragedy. Other characters, such as Laertes, take fast action, but Hamlet’s failure results in his death and his companion’s destruction.
The line “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all” (3.1.83) in Act 3, Scene 1 embodies Hamlet’s struggle to balance his conscience and the deceitful external world. It is part of the “To Be or Not to Be” soliloquy, is the part of Hamlet’s dialogue in which he recognizes the importance of moral principles and how they can impede resolution when faced with difficulties. It is a pivotal element in the play’s investigation of morality and humanity.
Hamlet’s “To Be or Not to Be”(3.1.56) soliloquy emphasizes the theme of the complex nature of being and decision-making. Hamlet acknowledges that overthinking can hinder action, stating that “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all; And thus the native hue of resolution Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought, And enterprises of great pitch and moment With this regard their currents turn awry, And lose the name of action.”(3.1). This quotation highlights Hamlet’s thoughtful emotions regarding mortality and decision-making in a complex and incertain world.
Hamlet expresses self-deprecating thoughts with the words, “What should such fellows as I do crawling between heaven and earth? We are arrant knaves, all. Believe none of us.”(3.1) This quote highlights his struggle to understand his identity and fight for himself, stressing the importance of self-discovery.
Hamlet’s doubts about his father’s ghost highlights his internal conflict and indecisiveness. He questions if the ghost is a deceiving spirit with hidden intentions, expressing, “Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damned?” (1.4.40) and acknowledging the potential for deception, “The spirit that I have seen / May be the devil, and the devil hath power / To assume a pleasing shape” (2.2.37).
The actions of Claudius, Fortinbras and Laertes further highlight Hamlet’s inaction/indecisiveness. From the very beginning of the play, we see that Claudius is a decisive leader – act 1.2 we see that Claudius has married Gertrude “for the good of the state” even though it has only been two months since his brother’s death, he has sent envoys Cornelius and Voltemand to deliver letters that he has written to the King of Norway, he gives Laertes permission to return to France, he convinces Hamlet to remain in Denmark rather than returning to school in Wittenberg…. Claudius also lacks Hamlet’s contemplative nature. He tells Hamlet that his grief is inappropriate ” ‘Tis unmanly grief. It shows a will most incorrect to heaven, A heart unfortified, a mind impatient, An understanding simple and unschooled. For what we know must be and is as common As any the most vulgar thing to sense, Why should we in our peevish opposition Take it to heart? Fie, ’tis a fault to heaven, A fault against the dead, a fault to nature, To reason most absurd, whose common theme Is death of fathers, and who still hath cried, From the first corse till he that died today, ‘This must be so'”(1.2). In contrast, Hamlet is experiencing very deep emotion “O that this too too solid flesh would melt” (1.2.129). After the death of his father and the quick marriage of his mother to Claudius, Hamlet wishes his body to dissolve. This reflects Hamlet’s emotional state.
Hamlet’s reluctance to take revenge on his father can be seen in the act 3, scene 3, where he refuses to kill Claudius while praying because of the moral dilemma it poses. He is waiting for the right time to kill him. This thematic emphasis on Hamlet’s character and his decision-making process
In conclusion, William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet” focuses on Hamlet’s inner confusion and his inability to act quickly due to his moral ambiguity and contemplation. Hamlet’s inner turmoil contributes to the tragedy that unfolds in the play, resulting in his untimely passing and the suffering of his loved ones. Hamlet’s internal confusion and indecision drives the play’s tragedy, highlighting the thematic significance of his character.
