When Hamlet decides to kill his Uncle it is not just a simple question of 'To Kill, or not To Kill.' The decision involves Hamlet considering what will happen to his mentality and future. How does Hamlet react to this momentous decision, and what does he risk to save himself from his own ideas?
             The play Hamlet is essentially a character study of an individual who develops an obsession with killing the King, yet risks psychological problems if he cures himself of his self-imposed torment. It is plainly evident that Hamlet is obsessed with destroying the powerful force ruling his country, i.e., Claudius. It is this obsession that begins Hamlet's strange behaviour, and I believe later the risks of psychological disruption as a result of trying to carry out his fixation. I also believe that it is what shapes Hamlet's behaviour to the audience, his madness and cryptic answers- conduct that seems bizarre and perplexing without explanation. An Elizabethan audience would be familiar with the idea of a 'revenge play' involving a wronged hero, but they would still be puzzled by Hamlet's pretended madness, resulting from, I believe, his fascination on justice.
             Hamlet's reasons for his obsession for exacting revenge against Claudius are fairly straightforward. The ghost of King Hamlet tells Hamlet that Claudius killed Hamlet Sr.
             "The serpent that did sting thy father's life/ Now wears his crown" and thus usurped him from his throne. When he did this, he also weakened Hamlet by taking away his central role model of masculinity, his father. He also committed the familial sin of killing his brother and subsequently sleeping with his wife, incest, and the moral and political sin of regicide. Claudius also deprived Hamlet of his rightful kingship, since Hamlet was second in line after Hamlet Sr. Also; Hamlet now knows that his love of his mother is corrupted since she loves his enemy.
             If Hamlet attempts to kill Claudius, he risks enduring e...