Hamlet's Treachery: A Character Analysis

Words: 347
Pages: 2
Open Document
Firstly, Hamlet’s inability to act decisively, in the face of unforeseeable consequences, leads him to the impotence of not avenging the death of his father in the way that he had initially intended. For instance, Hamlet hesitates to kill Claudius when he is alone, vulnerable, kneeling in prayer, and unaware of his presence. Instead, he justifies his procrastination by saying that he will kill him, “When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage, / Or in th' incestuous pleasure of his bed; / At gaming, a-swearing, or about some act / That has no relish of salvation in’t,” (3.3.90-94). Unfortunately, in his flaw of indecision and uncertainty, Hamlet takes a momentary refuge from murdering him at a time where he is repenting his sins. This is ironic because Hamlet does not realize that his revenge could have been complete had …show more content…
All in all, his hesitancy renders him impotent to murder, which goes against his morals and is essentially foreign to his nature. In fact, Hamlet observes his lack of passion himself upon comparing himself to the player. After noting the player’s talent at displaying false passion, Hamlet considers his own true passion in avenging his father, by pondering, “Am I a coward? / Who calls me villain? breaks my pate across? / Plucks off my beard, and blows it in my face? / Tweaks me by the nose? / ...who does me this?” (2.2.132). The juxtaposition of Hamlet and the player is ironic because Hamlet has failed to act upon his motives, which is something he feels passionately about. In contrast, the player is able to wholeheartedly deliver a speech that he does not personally care about. Hamlet is merely self-degrading himself, and realizes how his inward nature is not helping him advance in his actions. In conclusion, Hamlet’s indecisiveness and inability to take action from his thoughts leads to his
Show More

Related Documents: Hamlet's Treachery: A Character Analysis

Hamlet Character Analysis Essay

Hamlet Character Analysis The first impression we receive of Hamlet is this grief-stricken prince. He displays a mourning appearance. Hamlet cannot overcome his father’s death, even though everyone around him seems to have gotten over it abnormally quickly. Hamlet's grief develops a tremendous anger in him due to the lack of feeling by those around him, and more significantly, by the cold-hearted actions of his mother, who married her brother-in-law within a few weeks of her husband's death.…

Words 561 - Pages 3

Who's There: a Question of Identity in Hamlet Essay

versus reality becomes increasingly apparent. The complex characters featured in the play resolve to secretive which leads to a question of everyone’s identity. Yet, one does not even need to read the play to discover it’s essential themes. The first line of the play, “Who’s there?” (Hamlet 1. 1. 1) is not merely a question spoken by a guard who cannot see, rather it has a much deeper meaning as a foreshadowing of the play, where the characters are time and again faced with the question – who is this…

Words 1562 - Pages 7