Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, is one of the most famous plays of all time. Many critics study the actions of the characters, particularly the actions of Hamlet. They study Hamlet to determine why he was such a procrastinator. Hamlet was a man paralyzed by his own intelligence. Besides his obvious procrastination, his love for his mother, the concept of "innocent until proven guilty," and the general sensitivity in Hamlet's heart, are all factors in this analysis of this tragic hero. Rational thought and human compassion makes Hamlet a hero. Unfortunately, precision of thought and the inability to act on impulse, are detrimental factors in creating the tragedy in Hamlet. Hamlet fails to act because his sensitivity and intelligence paralyze his rational thought and will to act.
             Hamlet is very concerned for his mother, Gertrude. His concern for her stems from the death of his father, King Hamlet. Not only is he concerned, but he is also disturbed by his mother's actions. However, Hamlet tries to rationalize his mother's behavior so that he may understand things and perhaps even try to cope with her hasty marriage to Claudius. In a conversation with his friend, Horatio, we can see Hamlet's disgust of his mother's marriage.
             "Horatio: My lord, I came to see your father's funeral."
             "Hamlet: I pray thee, do not mock me, fellow student; I think it was to see my mother's wedding."
             "Horatio: Indeed, my lord, it follow'd hard upon." (Act 1, Scene 2)
             Hamlet's disgust with his mother's marrying Claudius less than two months after his father's death is one of the main subjects of this play. Hamlet considers Claudius secondary to his father in every respect. In the famous bedroom scene where Hamlet berates his mother for marrying Claudius, he "paints" her a picture of her two husbands.
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