Hamlet's Tragic Flaw: A Fateful Hesitation in Vengeance

Categories: Hamlet

Hamlet's Fatal Flaw was that he had a difficult time performing his strategies. Often times did Hamlet intend on doing things, yet he did not carry out these strategies. Hamlet was not a bad guy, but more of a tragic hero.

In the opening scenes of the play, the Ghost of Hamlet's dad reveals the truth about his death to his boy. He informs Hamlet to avenge his tragic murder. Hamlet's response appears like he has fast plans to perform his fathers wanting, by saying "Haste me to know't that I with winds as swift" ¦ Might sweep to my vengeance.

" (p. 29 lines 27-29) Unfortunately, Hamlet's failure to act on his father's extortion has him unwilling to eliminate the King Claudius by the end of that extremely scene, when he states, "This time runs out joint, O cursed spite, that I was ever born to set it right." (p. 35 lines 197-198) Here, Hamlet is currently having doubts and wanting that he wasn't the one that had to perform the revenge for his father.

Get quality help now
Writer Lyla
Writer Lyla
checked Verified writer

Proficient in: Free Essays

star star star star 5 (876)

“ Have been using her for a while and please believe when I tell you, she never fail. Thanks Writer Lyla you are indeed awesome ”

avatar avatar avatar
+84 relevant experts are online
Hire writer

Obviously Hamlet has genuine problems when it boils down to dealing with things.

As the play goes on, Hamlet still has refrained from doing a thing to avenge his father. In act II, scene 2, Hamlet chooses that before he can avenge his father's death, he needs to make certain that the Ghost was informing the fact. This merely offers Hamlet more excuse to put things off. Hamlet makes a plan to have a play in which he will check the kings reaction to.

Get to Know The Price Estimate For Your Paper
Topic
Number of pages
Email Invalid email

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

"You must agree to out terms of services and privacy policy"
Write my paper

You won’t be charged yet!

The play would be about a king who is killed by somebody putting toxin into his ear. Then the murderer becomes king and is enjoyed by the fallen kings partner. Just as it was for Claudius who killed the king and took his wife. When the play is seem by Claudius, Claudius ends up being outraged and ends the play. Hamlet understands now that Cladius is guilty. Even here, hamlet is talking to his pal Guilderstern and says "I do not have improvement" (p. 81 line 338) when his good friend asks what is incorrect with him. I believe that Hamlet understands his flaw however he will not act on it.

In act III, scene 3, Hamlet is ready to kill the king, but stops himself because the king is praying. Hamlet thinks that because the king is praying that if he killed him now the king would go to heaven. He decides yet again to delay avenging his father's murder, this time until he can kill the King while he is in a vile condition, such as "When he is drunk asleep; or in his rage; Or in the incestuous pleasure of his bed." (p. 87 lines 89-90) Later, Hamlet even proclaims; "How all occasions do inform against me, and spur my dull revenge." (p. 104 lines 33-34)

In the end of the play, we see that Hamlet's inability to act causes his tragic demise. Hamlets failure to revenge his father when he should have, costs him not only his life, but also his mother's. In the final scene, Hamlet duels with Laertes, who has conspired with the King to kill Hamlet. In the King's attempt to kill Hamlet, he accidentally poisons the Queen. Laertes delivers the fatal wound to Hamlet with a sword dipped in a deadly poison and it is only with his final life breath that Hamlet finally kills the King.

So, Hamlet has finally killed the king, but not by going out and killing the king like he said, but with a poison the king made himself to kill Hamlet. But it would be okay to say that Hamlet avenged his father, and his fathers later wish for the queen to be left to die without Hamlet killing her. Both Hamlet's and his father's names are cleared too.

Basically, everything is made clear to the people and besides Hamlet's sad death, everyone who deserved to die or be killed, was killed. Hamlet obviously wouldn't have made a good king anyways, without the ability to act on your own wishes, you would never rule a kingdom very well.

Updated: Nov 20, 2023
Cite this page

Hamlet's Tragic Flaw: A Fateful Hesitation in Vengeance. (2016, Jul 12). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/hamlets-fatal-flaw-essay

Hamlet's Tragic Flaw: A Fateful Hesitation in Vengeance essay
Live chat  with support 24/7

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

get help with your assignment