Hamlet's Moral Nature Leads to Death

While rambling on about vengeance, the senseless prince Hamlet utters “I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven. O, this is hire and salary, not revenge… or about some act that has no relish of salvation in’t; then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven, and that his soul may be as damn’d and black” (3. 3. 77-95). This soliloquy is significant as it shows Hamlet’s intentions when he must delay his murder purposes to a specific time frame where Claudius is acting corrupt because then the King’s soul will descend into hell.

Moral relativism is also evident when the melancholic prince moans “To be, or not to be: that is the question; whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer… To die, to sleep;” when contemplating life and death (3. 1. 57-61). This unique proclamation further explains why Hamlet is incapable of murder because he is afraid of what lies after death, particularly hell and purgatory.

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For these reasons, religion is a main virtue of Hamlet’s moral nature leading his incompetence in seeking retribution on King Claudius.

Another unambiguous quality in the Prince’s moral nature that leads to the dispose of Claudius is procrastination. While in the castle, the insane Dane Hamlet sadly proclaims “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all, and thus the native hue of resolution is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought, and enterprises of great pitch and moment with this regard their currents turn awry, and lose the name of action” (3.

1. 84-88). This declamation clarifies Hamlet is troubled by his over scrupulous conscience which prevents him from immediately avenging his father's murder.

After finishing conversation with the Captain, the impractical prince Hamlet boldly states “How all occasions do inform me against me, and spur my dull revenge! What is man…O, from this time forth, my thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth! ” when realizing now is the time for him to act (4. 4. 31-65). Hamlet finally recognizes that he has held out his revenge for too long and must act on it after seeing Fortinbras’ army sacrificing money and men to get back a worthless piece of land just for honour. In due course Hamlet’s procrastination eventually leads to his death in the end.

If it is not for the Danish Prince’s moral nature of procrastination, he could have very well avoided death by acting on his deed to his father. Last, the most important moral virtue that the saddened prince portrays is indecisiveness. When deciding whether or not to fulfill his revenge for his deceased father, Hamlet confidently declares now whether it be, bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple, of thinking too precisely on th' event - a thought which, quarter'd , hath but one part wisdom  and ever three parts coward - I do not know why yet I live to say this thing's to do ,sith I have cause , and will and strength , and means to do. 4. 4. 39-44) This decision further describes that Hamlet is indecisive about when he must carry out retribution for his forbearer. Indecisiveness relates to both religion and procrastination qualities as well. Hamlet pronounces “I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven. O, this is hire and salary, not revenge… or about some act that has no relish of salvation in’t; then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven, and that his soul may be as damn’d and black” when determining when Claudius should be slain and go to hell (3. . 77-95). Not only religious virtues are apparent but also indecisive traits. Indecisiveness is evident while Hamlet needs to decide at what specific point in time to achieve his goal of retaliation. When speaking to himself in the castle, the melancholic prince sighs “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all” (3. 1. 84). Even though procrastination is evident in Hamlet’s speech, indecisiveness can be found as well. Indecisiveness is present in Hamlet’s speech because he is contemplating on his own life and death.

For these examples, indecisiveness is in the Danish Prince’s moral nature that affects his ability to seek payback for his father. In conclusion, moral relativism, procrastination and indecisiveness are the three vital virtues that insane Prince carries. These traits prove the reoccurring theme that the need for revenge can consume you. Hamlet’s moral nature is the reason why he is unable to seek vengeance for his father immediately and if the insane Dane had taken action and fulfilled his assassination on Claudius instantly, Prince Hamlet’s fate would have ended better. Works Cited Shakespeare, William Hamlet.