Hamlet - Lack Of Motivation

Shakespeare’s uses patterns in this soliloquy to illustrate Hamlet’s inaction very subtly throughout the passage. Patterns are evident all over the passage in the form of rhetorical questions. The first of these questions is… “How stand I then, that have a father kill’d, a mother stain’d, excitements of my reason and blood, and let all sleep?” (Lines 57 – 60) Overall, in this first question he doub

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Though that’s a good thing, further in the play Hamlet would encounter the same problems of doubting himself which would ultimately lead to his downfall. “The imminent death of twenty thousand men, that for a fantasy and trick of fame, go to their graves like beds” (Lines 61-63). The quote “Go to their graves like beds” is a very effective piece of imagery that literally sums up Hamlet’s opinion of Fortinbras taking Poland. “Whose spirit, with divine ambition puffed, makes mouths at the invisible event” (Lines 50-51). This relates to the theme of uncertainty/lack of action because while Fortinbras can find it in himself to fight for something that has no value (even for an “egg shell”), Hamlet cannot find it in himself to avenge a person that is dear to him. Overall, the small bits of imagery Shakespeare uses effectively shows Hamlet’s inaction/uncertainty in the passage. And Fortinbras is putting his heart into the task of claiming Poland, even though acquiring it would do nothing for his kingdom. The quote is a metaphor for the worthless land that Fortinbras is fighting for…it is important to Fortinbras because it is a matter of honor. Led by a delicate and tender prince, whose spirit, with divine ambition puffed, makes mouths at the invisible event” (Lines 48 – 51). ” This is an optimistic ending to Hamlet’s soliloquy where he basically says that if he his thoughts shall remain focused on the task at hand, or not at all (an encouragement of sorts for Hamlet). ” Hamlet is praising Fortinbras in this quote.

Hamlet uses symbolism throughout the soliloquy that shows his inaction/uncertainty. The second question is…“While to my shame I see…twenty thousand men, that for a fantasy and trick of fame, go to their graves like beds…which is not tomb enough and continent to hide the slain?” (Lines 60 – 66) Essentially, he is saying that while 20,000 men (Fortinbras army) go to their graves for nothing, he cannot find it in himself to fight for something meaningful (his father’s death). That in essence he would become nothing more than a beast/savage. This simile shows that while twenty thousand men are willing to give up their lives for a seemingly worthless cause, Hamlet finds it difficult, through his inaction, to avenge his father’s death.

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Approximate Word count = 1607
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

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