Hamlet (A Critical Analysis) - Essay Example

Hamlet never intended to kill Claudius before his father’s ghost appeared and urged him to do so. In fact, it was his internal battle (introspection) that didn’t let him succeed in deciding what he wanted to. There are different theories about Hamlet’s delay in taking revenge. It is believed that he was afraid of being what he was accusing Claudius for; the murderer. Because murdering Claudius would not have made him better than him. In five brother’s story he experienced the darker side of revenge.

He wanted to be quick in taking action but was cautious enough to identify emotion and illogical thought attached to it (Westlund 244-256). The story of five sons of a murdered man is narrated within Hamlet. All of sons have their own interpretation and way of taking revenge. Among all of them, Hamlet’s understanding and way of taking revenge is portrayed to be the most balanced one. Neither he acts promptly nor stays completely inactive, rather waits for the right time to act (Rasmussen 463).

Hamlet is being criticized for delaying revenge due to his procrastinating nature or belief not to murder a disarmed man as Hamlet rationalize his decision in speech. Another reason for the delay can be the fear of destroying a man (Claudius) who was experiencing a spiritual awakening. It may be true because, according to McCullen the idea of revenge in Elizabethan era required spiritual and physical destruction for absolute revenge (24-25). Thus, Hamlet quit the idea of killing Claudius while he was praying.

Hamlet wants to wait for the right time. It does not reflect his being inactive or a procrastinator because strangely, he was active enough to murder Polonius and two spies, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Besides being two of the most crucial characters, Shakespeare keeps readers unaware of Ophelia and Gertrude’s feelings and inner