Hamlet-Justified Procrastinati
Hamlet has fascinated audiences and readers for centuries, and the first thing to point about him is that he is enigmatic. There is always more to him than the other characters in the play can figure out; even the most careful and clever readers come away with the sense that they don't know everything there is to know about this character. The character of Hamlet is largely criticized as incapable of murder, causing his hesitation to kill Claudius. Although his reason for indecision is not completely concrete, incapability should be ruled out from the start. Hamlet is undeniably capable of murder, as when he stabs Polonius through a curtain without even checking to see who he is. Ruling incapability out, the cause of Hamlet's hesitation to murder is a combination of three factors: he is contemplative, he lacks proof of details of his father's murder, and he wants to make sure his actions will lead to Claudius' eternal punishment. A university student whose studies are interrupted by his father's death, Hamlet is extremely philosophical and contemplative. He is particularly drawn to difficult questions or questions that cannot be answered with any certainty. At a number of points in the play,
In addition, regicide was a very serious matter in Shakespeare's time. Perhaps Hamlet is certain that Claudius will sin again very shortly. Although critics may claim that his reasons for delayed action are merely excuses for incapability, Hamlet's procrastination is certainly justified, as it increased his emotional, intellectual, and spiritual desire for justice. Hamlet's hesitation is justified because he feels morally obligated to prove that Claudius murdered his father before justice can be carried out. The Ghost has told him the story, but Hamlet cannot take anything on faith: he has to see for himself, has to recreate before his own eyes the moment of the poisoning. Hamlet explains this when he says, "Now he is praying, and now I'll do't--and so he goes to heaven. Had he acted too rashly, the death of Claudius would not have satisfied Hamlet as fair vengeance for his father's death, and Hamlet would have been left to contemplate "to be, or not to be" endlessly, until his final destruction. he contemplates his own death and even the option of suicide. The standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt" is simply unacceptable to him. Scene 2, 543-559) Hamlet views Claudius' reaction to the play. Likewise, in flushing him out, Hamlet has tipped Claudius off to his knowledge of the murder, and he knows Claudius will take action against him if he doesn't seize the moment. As a rational character, Hamlet lets his thought life rule his emotions. He also needs to prove it to Gertrude, because he loves his mother and doesn't want to hurt her by killing Claudius, without proving it warranted.
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