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Hamlets problem
In the play Hamlet, Hamlet is described as daring, brave, loyal,
and intelligent, but he is consumed by his own thoughts. Hamlet’s inability to act on his father’s murder, his mother’s marriage, and his uncle assuming of the thrown are all evidence that Hamlet doesn’t
know what is going on in his own life.
“Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder,” demands the ghost
in (Act I, Scene 5, line 23). The fact that his own uncle could kill his father leaves Hamlet crazy and confused. Although Hamlet knows something is wrong in Denmark, he begins to question everything
that the ghost has told him. When something is needed to be done, Hamlet is to busy thinking about his problems. An example of this is when Hamlet has his knife over the head of Claudius, and is prepared
to murder him. He talks himself out of it. Instead, Hamlet writes a play in which the actors play out the same story that the ghost told Hamlet. His plan is to study Claudius’s reaction to the play to
determine his guilt. Even after Hamlet decides his uncle is guilty, he doesn’t do anything. This would have been a great time to confront Claudius, but Hamlet seems more interested in taking credit for
what he did instead of seeking revenge.
Throughout the play Hamlet is deeply hurt by his mother’s decision
to remarry his uncle. As Hamlet says, “Frailty thy name is woman”, her actions cause Hamlet to curse women all together (Act 1, Scene 2, Line 146). In the first Act, Claudius and Gertrude question
Hamlet’s depression. They push Hamlet to accept his father’s death and move on with his life. While Hamlet should admit his hatred of their marriage, he hides his feeling. While Hamlet is holding back
his feelings, he becomes more angered at their attempts to calm him. Gertrude is also aware of Hamlet’s feelings for Ophelia and uses this as an excuse for Hamlet’s actions. Hamlet has plenty of time to
confess the cause of his madness. Unfortunately, Hamlet allows his mother to think he is madly in love rather than tell the truth. After Hamlet delivers his play and sees guilt in his uncle, Gertrude
sends for Hamlet. Instead of hurting his mother, he insists on her to tell him the truth. If Hamlet wouldn’t have taken so long, her confession could have taken place earlier in the play. This could save
him from a great deal of pain and leave his thoughts for other problems.
Hamlet’s biggest obstacle in getting even with his father’s murder
is Claudius being crowned king. With Claudius being in such a powerful position, Hamlet has to be careful with what he does. Hamlet not only has to kill his father’s murderer, but the king as well. The
church was against the wedding from the start and would side with Hamlet.
Instead of Hamlet disapproving his mother’s wedding and the crowning of his uncle, he was silent. During the play, Claudius
yells, "Give me some light. Away" and Hamlet was sure of his uncle’s guilt (Act III, Scene 2, Line 152). This was the perfect time for Hamlet to face Claudius. The king was in a venerable state
and could have been easily dethroned. Unfortunately, Hamlet decides to speak to his mother instead, thus putting Hamlet in an emotional state of mind and giving Claudius time to re-think his options.
Although Hamlet seemed to be superior in all other
characteristics, his one flaw cost him his life. Without doubt, it cost the lives of many others as well. If Hamlet could have taken immediate action, many deaths could have been avoided. Although Hamlet
succeeds in his quest for revenge, his procrastination proves to be his flaw in every event.
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