I think Hamlet feels as though he is in a pickle and therefore can't act upon his dad's request to kill his uncle. I believe Hamlet is torn between what his father expects of him and what he thinks is right. On one hand he wants to be loyal to his father and take revenge, but on the other hand his mind is playing tricks on him. Hamlet fears the idea of being a murderer and can't bring himself to pursue the murder. After presenting a play to Claudius, that is similar to the murder of King Hamlet, Claudius breaks down and Hamlet is convinced that the ghost told him the truth. This gives him reassurance, but he still doesn't seem to be able to kill Claudius. A possible reason for his reluctance might be that the only opportunity that presented itself to kill Claudius was in a church. In Elizabethan time, people believed that when you kill someone during prayer they will go to heaven. Since Hamlet doesn't want Claudius to go to heaven, he doesn't follow through with his plan. Although he draws his sword at one point, he decides to wait for a moment that exposes Claudius as a sinner so he can kill him without feeling guilty,
"Up, sword, and know thou a more horrid hent.
When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage,
Or in th' incestuous pleasure of his bed,
At game a-swearing, or about some act
That has no relish of salvation in ’t—" (3.3.89-93).
I think his reluctance is reasonable considering he is insane. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to get revenge, but I understand why he can't. The reluctance of Hamlet tells us a lot about his character. He is a person that thinks a lot and self-evaluates his actions and thoughts. I find his internal struggle to be very interesting, because I believe nowadays the minority of people would hesitate even a second to get revenge for a beloved one.
When the ghost tells Hamlet he was murdered and wants his son to seek revenge, Hamlet is all for it: Haste me to know't, that I, with wings as swift. As meditation or the thoughts of love,
May sweep to my revenge (1.5.29-31). Only after he finds out that it is Claudius he has to kill, he begins to show reluctance. To some extent I believe this to be because of his mother. He wonders how Claudius death will affect her and his country, which explains his hesitation.
Some people believe that Hamlet was sexually attracted to his mother and didn't want to hurt her by killing Claudius. This article suggests that Hamlet would be tempted to sleep with his mother himself, if he killed Claudius. He could also fear sharing the same fate as his uncle - a murderer. I think sometimes he's on the verge of killing Claudius, which explains why he stabbed Polonius. Hamlet can be dramatic and act on impulses, but he also tries to be rational. I believe my picture is a representation of how Hamlet feels. Again, he is in a pickle, because he thinks no matter what he does he is doomed. Whether he kills Claudius or doesn't, he will sin and therefore feels miserable.
As one can see, there are many possible reasons for Hamlet's delay in killing his uncle. I think in general, Shakespeare is trying to show us that in life it is important to really think about big decisions and how they affect you and people around you.
Source of picture: http://www.rottenecards.com/card/333670/damned-if-you-do-damned-if-yo
I think his reluctance is reasonable considering he is insane. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to get revenge, but I understand why he can't. The reluctance of Hamlet tells us a lot about his character. He is a person that thinks a lot and self-evaluates his actions and thoughts. I find his internal struggle to be very interesting, because I believe nowadays the minority of people would hesitate even a second to get revenge for a beloved one.
When the ghost tells Hamlet he was murdered and wants his son to seek revenge, Hamlet is all for it: Haste me to know't, that I, with wings as swift. As meditation or the thoughts of love,
May sweep to my revenge (1.5.29-31). Only after he finds out that it is Claudius he has to kill, he begins to show reluctance. To some extent I believe this to be because of his mother. He wonders how Claudius death will affect her and his country, which explains his hesitation.
Some people believe that Hamlet was sexually attracted to his mother and didn't want to hurt her by killing Claudius. This article suggests that Hamlet would be tempted to sleep with his mother himself, if he killed Claudius. He could also fear sharing the same fate as his uncle - a murderer. I think sometimes he's on the verge of killing Claudius, which explains why he stabbed Polonius. Hamlet can be dramatic and act on impulses, but he also tries to be rational. I believe my picture is a representation of how Hamlet feels. Again, he is in a pickle, because he thinks no matter what he does he is doomed. Whether he kills Claudius or doesn't, he will sin and therefore feels miserable.
As one can see, there are many possible reasons for Hamlet's delay in killing his uncle. I think in general, Shakespeare is trying to show us that in life it is important to really think about big decisions and how they affect you and people around you.
Source of picture: http://www.rottenecards.com/card/333670/damned-if-you-do-damned-if-yo
Hi Merit, this is a good post. Please include the source of the picture in the caption. Also, do you explain your photo choice? Why did you choose it? I liked your hyper link. Please double check your punctuation and grammar. Finally, I'll be giving more marks to those who use actual quotes or evidence from the play (properly cited) to support their position. Be sure to check out the rubric. Great work!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. Hamlet is insane and his actions when he is reluctant reveal a lot about his character. I also think his feelings toward his mother have a big part to play in how he acts in this situation.
ReplyDeleteI really agree with your post. The reasons you stated are very valid. Hamlet put on the antic disposition consciously in the play. The traits of madness were portrayed through his actions and conversations. He completely adapted to the disposition and became insane.
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