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Shakespeare's Hamlet paints a vivid portrayal of its titular character, a prince burdened with the weight of avenging his father's murder. Despite the urging of his father's ghost, Hamlet's journey is marked by continuous delay, a phenomenon that demands a nuanced exploration. This essay aims to delve deeper into the intricate layers of Hamlet's psyche, dissecting his initial determination, internal conflicts, moral dilemmas, and the broader societal context that shapes his actions.
The crux of Hamlet's procrastination lies in the revelation provided by the ghost of his late father.
The ghost discloses the malevolent means of King Hamlet's demise, attributing it to Claudius's poison. Initially, Hamlet is propelled into action, proclaiming, "Haste me to know't that I with wings as swift...May sweep to my revenge" (Roberts, pg. 1370). However, this fiery determination gradually fades as the scene unfolds, giving way to a sense of despair: "This time is out of joint, O cursed spite, that I was ever born to set it right" (Roberts, pg. 1374).
Visualize Hamlet as a soldier thrust into a war, compelled to undertake actions he would prefer to avoid.
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The circumstances surrounding Claudius's regicide become Hamlet's battlefield, and the murder of his father manifests as a country left in ruins, breeding hatred and resentment. As a loyal prince and son, Hamlet is duty-bound to seek revenge and restore justice to the royal court.
Several theories attempt to unravel the intricacies of Hamlet's procrastination.
One posits that he sought to ascertain the authenticity of the ghost before leaping into action, musing that "The spirit I have seen may be a devil." Even after the 'play within a play' seemingly confirms Claudius's guilt, Hamlet, in Act II: Scene 2, asserts, "I'll take the Ghost's word for a thousand pound," yet remains ensnared in contemplation.
Encountering Claudius praying presents a prime opportunity for revenge. However, Hamlet holds back, citing reasons such as not wanting Claudius to ascend to heaven. This delay tactic sheds light on Hamlet's proclivity to overthink, as suggested by Professor Dowden, filtering every event through his mind and fostering indecision (Bloom, pg. 66).
Hamlet's inclination towards philosophy over immediate action sets him apart from characters like Claudius and Laertes. Acknowledging that he tends to "think too precisely on the event," Hamlet leans towards intellectual reflection, favoring contemplation over hasty decisions (Stratford, 105). Despite his impulsive nature, the intricate plot obstructs him from finding a straightforward solution, forcing him to depend more on thinking than acting.
External events serve to amplify Hamlet's pre-existing melancholic disposition. The revelation of his father's murder and his mother's rapid remarriage intensify his melancholy. His mother's union, occurring a mere three months after King Hamlet's death, not only reveals insensitivity but also violates canon law, deepening Hamlet's sense of abomination (Grebanier, pg. 159).
In Act II: Scene 2, Hamlet confides in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, expressing the loss of joy, stating, "I have of late...lost all my mirth." As he descends further into fruitless brooding, his soliloquy unveils the weighty burden of the avenging task: "O that this too solid flesh would melt." The enormity of the task becomes overwhelming for the fragile, melancholic Hamlet.
Hamlet's delay is further shaped by his uncertainty about the morality of avenging his father's murder. As an idealistic and moralistic individual, Hamlet grapples with the prohibition of revenge by ecclesiastical law. Although 'personal honor' often prevailed in Elizabethan times, Hamlet debates the morality of revenge, questioning whether it damns him further into the "cankle of our nature."
Hamlet's doubts about killing the King intensify when the Ghost instructs him to "leave [his mother] to heaven" regarding her sins. This moral dilemma arises from the belief that God, not Hamlet, should deal with such transgressions. The conundrum deepens as Hamlet contemplates carrying out the very act he condemns.
Understanding Hamlet's procrastination necessitates considering the broader societal context of the play. The Elizabethan era was marked by a delicate balance between personal honor and moral obligations. Hamlet's internal struggle mirrors the societal conflict between revenge, considered a duty, and the moral ramifications of such actions.
In conclusion, Hamlet's procrastination in seeking vengeance for his father's murder is deeply rooted in his character—a unique blend of philosophy, melancholy, and moral idealism. While external events play a role, they serve more as excuses for Hamlet's continued delay. The play unfolds as a profound exploration of a complex character grappling with internal and external forces, making Hamlet's delay a compelling aspect of Shakespearean tragedy.
Hamlet's Procrastination: A Dive into His Complex World. (2016, Jun 19). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/hamlets-delay-essay
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