Hamlet Essay

By: Abby Juarez

Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Shakespearean Tragedy, is a story about a character who deceives others by his  inaction that leads to everyone  dying, which contributes to the book as a whole. 

    Hamlet “have sworn’t” to seek vengeance towards his uncle for murdering his father (i.v.63). Nevertheless, Hamlet delays his duty as he is overanalyzing the situation and task assigned to him from the ghost. In his “to be or not to be…” speech, he delays revenge as thoughts of suicide commence to his mind (iii.i.56-58). He cannot commit to his act of suicide because he will go to the underworld, but he also does not want to act upon his father’s revenge, leading towards his decision to do neither. Hamlet shows deep quality of overthinking every step away from his plan before he takes action. 

    Hamlet procrastinates on getting his revenge done as he has countless opportunities to murder Claudius.  For instance, Hamlet finds Claudius after the play. Claudius is praying and admits he killed King Hamlet. However, Hamlet finds Claudius praying and asking for forgiveness, as it will send him straight to heaven, Hamlet decides not to kill him and has plansto murder him while commiting a sin. It is revealed when Claudius is alone that he is not genuine enough for him to be forgiven. “My words fly up, my thoughts remain below” (III.iii.96). Yet, Hamlet continues to procrastinates on his revenge. 

  A moment of irony immerges when Hamlet kills someone; and it is not Claudius. Polonius hides behind a curtain while Gertude and Hamlet are talking, and Hamlet, thinking it is Claudius behind the curtain, stabs through the curtain. Through the “rash and bloody deed”, it leads to the downfall of several characters, principally Laertes and Ophelia (iii.iv.171). As the reports of Polonius’ death arise, Gertude is informed by a gentleman that Ophelia “is importunate” and “speaks much of her father”, as well as singing melodies (iv.v.205). They are trying to find the reason for her madness when Laertes walks in and exclaims to Claudius “give me my father!” (iv.v.213). Laertes, wanting to pursue retaliation on whoever killed his father,  is convinced by Claudius to team up  so they can plan Hamlet’s murder.  Moments later, Ophelia is overcome with madness, resulting in her death  due to the death of her father and Hamlet’s exile. 

    Hamlet returns to England in secret and spars in a match against Laertes after revealing himself; the match in which Claudius planned to murder Hamlet in order for him to be king. While congratulating her son’s victory in a match, Gertude makes a toast to Hamlet and drinks from the poisoned cup. Laertes wounds Hamlet and when their swords exchange, Hamlet stabs Laertes back. After the poison takes effect, Gertude falls to her death. This brings us back to when the ghost specified in killing Claudius, and to leave his mother alone. Hamlets ends up killing Claudius after confronting Laertes about the situation, but leaves a multitude of characters dead, including himself. 

The inaction of Hamlet’s character contributes to the theme of the work as a whole by suggesting that if Hamlet had just taken the opportunity to  kill Claudius sooner, the multiple deaths that occurred would have been prevented. In Hamlet, it’s clear Shakespear thought there should be a balance between action and inaction instead.