Hamlet Nature Essays - Characters In Hamlet, Prince Hamlet, Hamlet

Hamlet Nature The obscurity of human thought and sentiment inhibits the possibility of understanding an individual's actions. The human mind is composed of its own due process, which, in certain individuals, might disable the ability to make decisions and act. In the play Hamlet the protagonist is marked by an indecisive nature. By analyzing every aspect of a possible action, Hamlet inevitably finds a reason not to act. His actions are untimely. The often procrastination of serious acts lead to an even more complicated situation. The complexities of the events which take place in the play do not always provide Hamlet with a possible clear decision. He is constantly faced with a challenging dilemma that adds to the intricacy of his life. Hamlet is overly conscious and unable to make a decision because of the uncertainty of the consequences that might follow. There is a constant threat that reaction these consequences will not be what he expects, possibly being detrimental to his cause. This deters him from attempting to execute any of his machinations. All these factor demonstrate that Hamlet does not suffer from a failure of will, but rather of an over analytical character that impedes him from taking any significant action. By constantly questioning every aspect of a possible action, Hamlet ultimately finds a reason no to act. He is constantly contemplating on the possibility of self-slaughter. This is evident in his soliloquies and disregard towards life. Hamlet expresses his sentiments, regarding the fact that his dear mother married his uncle only two months after the death of his father, by saying these lines: "O, that this too too sullied flesh would melt, Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew! ...How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable Seem to me all the uses of this world!" ( I ii, 129-130, 133-134) This excerpt clearly demonstrates Hamlet's belief that suicide is a possible and realistic option. His grief is so immense and his mother's actions are so repugnant the life has no meaning for him. But Hamlet does not kill himself, he finds a reason not to; "Or that the Everlasting had not fixed -- His cannon ?gainst self- slaughter!"( I ii, 131-32) he explains. Hamlet fears damnation, he will not kill himself because it is a mortal sin allowing no possibility for salvation. Hamlet also express the same feelings when he says: "...To die, to sleep ? No more ? and by a sleep to say we end ? The heartache and the thousand natural shocks ? That flesh is heir to." ( III I, 61-64) Again suicide was in his mind, and again he found an excuse no to further his thoughts. "But that the drear of something after death, - - The undiscovered country from whose bourn ? No traveler returns, puzzles the will." ( III I, 179-181) The fear of what will happen after death deters him. Hamlet also fails to take any significant action in many other occasions. He does not kill Claudius immediately after the apparition of the Ghost, in which he discovered that his father was really murdered by him. "The spirit that I have seen -- May be the devil..."( II ii, 599-600 ) Hamlet subconsciously finds a reason not to act by doubting the validity and origin of the apparition. Hamlet encounters another chance to kill Claudius. It is after a play, set up by Hamlet to verify Claudius' guilt. Claudius clearly expresses his guilt by standing up as the murder of Hamlet's father was reenacted. Now Hamlet is absolutely certain that Claudius is the perpetrator of the most foul and unusual murder. But Hamlet finds yet another reason to postpone his deed. "When he is drunk asleep, r in his rage, Or in th' incestuous pleasure of his bed, At game a-swearing, 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 damned and black As hell, whereto it goes."( III iv, 89-95) Claudius is in a chapel, apparently praying; therefore Hamlet hesitates killing him because at this moment he believes Claudius will not go to heaven. One must also consider the fact that Hamlet cannot simply disregard his morals and values. "Thus conscience does make cowards of us all." ( III I, 84) Hamlet understands that conscience, or what society has taught individuals to believe, is an impediment. To go against what one holds as true and right is to go against one self. Hamlet realizes that his