To Be Or Not To Be
The most notable line by Hamlet in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet is " To be, or not to be, that is the question." Hamlet's statement defines the central theme of the play and provides the reader with insight into Hamlet's psychological dilemma. His self-inquiry is a projection of what will occur in the play. Again and again, Shakespeare brings us back to Hamlet's plight: can he act or is he paralyzed by cowardice? Throughout the play Hamlet is unable to come to a concrete resolution of avenging his father's death, whether to kill Claudius, and reconciling himself to his mother marrying his uncle. Hamlet's indecisive personality determines how he deals with these issues. At the very outset of the play, Barnardo sets the stage by posing the question "Who's there?" (I,i,3) Little does the reader know at this time that this question will be repeatedly asked in different forms throughout the play. Who is Hamlet? And does Hamlet really know who he is himself? Will the "real" Hamlet step forward and be a decisive and righteous avenger of his father's death or will he be a timid and irresolute fumbler unable to make up his mind about matters of life and
But delay and procrastination do not work to his advantage. Laertes and Hamlet are both fatally injured by each other during the duel. Hamlet fortunately was provided with the chance to kill Claudius and ultimately seized the moment. This trait of only acting when other events force decisions illustrates Hamlet's weakness and inability to kill King Claudius even when given an opportune moment. Hamlet does not create a situation in which he can assassinate Claudius, but again he chances upon the defenseless King. before Hamlet can die, Hamlet kills Claudius telling him to "drink off the potion" that killed his mother as well (V, ii, 301-305). Hamlet's inability to kill Claudius in the chapel is another example of Prince Hamlet's irresolute manner and cowardly behavior. This indecisive weakness of resolve can be summed up in the pensive thought "to be or not to be. This character flaw ultimately leads to his own demise. He chances on situations that force him to put his thoughts into action. Hamlet is now cognizant that his father's life was not taken by a wild beast, but by his own brother Claudius. If he truly had the desire and will to accomplish his objective, he would have used the opportunity to achieve this specific task. But Hamlet's wrestling of his conscience provides the vehicle for establishing Claudius's guilt and allows Hamlet to resolve his internal struggles.
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