Hamlet's Fault Essay

Words: 1230
Pages: 5

American actor Richard Simmons once said that “no one is perfect... absolutely no one. Like precious stones, we have a few flaws, but why focus on that?” There is truth in the fact that every person in this world has faults, and sometimes those faults can overshadow the good qualities that the person possesses. This is the case for Prince Hamlet from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Prince Hamlet’s overpowering fault is that he is highly indecisive but despite this it can be said that Hamlet is a fascinating character. When one looks past this overpowering fault Hamlet can more prominently be seen as witty, scholarly, and philosophical.
The first of these fascinating characteristics is Hamlet’s wit. William Shakespeare demonstrates Hamlet’s immense
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After Claudius has first addressed Denmark and the Royal Court Hamlet compares Claudius to King Hamlet by stating that “so excellent a king; that was to this, /Hyperion to a satyr” (1, 2, 139-140). In order to understand this analogy and to so aptly apply it to Claudius and King Hamlet he would need to be not only literate but well-read which would require him to be educated. In Greek mythology Hyperion was the Titan god of the sun but was also described as “God of Watchfulness, Wisdom and the Light" (Hyperion (mythology)) and a satyr was promiscuous and lustful. Both of these Greek mythological creatures match the personality of King Hamlet and Claudius respectively. King Hamlet has been described as a good, wise leader which means that the first reference that Hamlet makes is apt. Claudius is in an incestuous marriage as he is married to his brother’s wife which fits with the description of the satyr. Hamlet’s application of his knowledge from his readings on Greek mythology demonstrate his scholarly personality. This attribute of Hamlet’s brings perceptive and often humorous connections and comparisons to the play which creates a more fascinating dynamic on stage for the audience. In short Hamlet overcomes his fault of indecisiveness with his scholarly personality to bring insightful comparisons to the play that bring humor and a fascinating dynamic to the