Hamlet

King Hamlet’s death turns Hamlet’s world from one of order to one of chaos. He knows Claudius killed his father, and he knows it is his duty to avenge his fathers death. He does not know when he should act. Therefore a major conflict arises within him, the conflict of passion vs. reason. The theme of passion vs. reason is prevalent throughout the play, and Hamlet is drawn to both sides of his reason and passion: reason being that he should wait to achieve revenge until a perfect time, passion being that he should revenge his father immediately, and face the consequences later. Throughout the play, Hamlet’s passion almost overtakes his reason. Seeing Fortinbras and Laertes act on their passions, he is continuously distraught. He thinks himself a coward and goes as far as to say he should not live. Amidst Hamlet’s confusion and passion comes Horatio. Being the only trustworthy person in Hamlet’s life, Horatio is able to reign in Hamlet’s passion with his reason, inciting Hamlet to act more logically, and therefore be able to meet his destiny. In the first scene Hamlet and Horatio are in together, Horatio shows that his reason is able to win over Hamlet’s passion. When Hamlet is conversing wi

It is important to bring up that he alsoshows strong reason in talking about Laertes, saying "But I am very sorry, good Horatio,That toLaertes I forgot myself;for by this image of my cause I seeThe portraiture of his. Through theselines, we see that Hamlet thinks of himself, and of most others, as slaves to passion, and herecognizes the fact that Horatio is not, and therefore Hamlet holds him in his "heart"tms core. From this quote, Hamlet proves he is making his decisionwith a clear head, stating the reasons of why he must do it. Give me that manThat is not passion"tmsslave, and I will wear himIn my heart"tms core, ay, in my heart of heart,As I do thee. He evendoubts the ghost, who is supposedly his own father. When Hamlet comes back from talking to the ghost, he jests with Horatio,saying "There"tms never a villain dwelling in all DenmarkBut he"tms an arrant knave"(I,v,28), andHoratio responds "There needs no ghost, my lord, come from the graveTo tell us this. Horatio standsby him the entire play, even when Hamlet is meeting his destiny, and when he dies, Horatio is byhis side, a beginning influence on Hamlet"tms inner conflict, and an ending influence. Hamlet is dealing with the same issue, except that his passion isalways ahead of his reason. After strong inner conflicts, Hamlet finally becomes true to the very things he admires inHoratio.