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Hamlet? s Whatever Complex William Shakespeare? s Hamlet is a play that is full of several themes and ideas that relate to today? s society as well as they relate to the Elizabethan Era. Probably the one aspect that stands out though, is the theme of courage and confidence demonstrated through Hamlet?
s inability to act on his decisions. Several times throughout the play Hamlet feels one way and acts another, or just doesn? t act at all. Hamlet?
s inability to act is really his tragic flaw and it leads to his downfall. A very good example of Hamlet? s indecision is when he goes to kill the King the first time. He has every opportunity to kill the King while he is at pray, yet he doesn? t. The reason Hamlet gives is that the King will go to heaven if he is murdered while he is praying, and that wouldn?
t be justice. Hamlet instead wants to kill him while he is doing something sinful, such as drinking, or in the? incestuous pleasure of his bed. ? This explanation is really just a scapegoat for Hamlet? s wavering confidence.
Even though he is sure that the King is his father? s murderer, he still can? t bring himself to kill the king. This self-doubt inside his mind is one of the main reasons Hamlet can? t make a decision. Another part in the play that really shows Hamlet?
s indecision is his? To be or not to be? speech at the beginning of Act Three. Hamlet is contemplating life or death, and the advantages and disadvantages of both. He decides one of the worst things about death is the unknown.
Specifically he says, ? For in that sleep of death what dreams may come? (127). This is really a key line that describes Hamlet? s opinion about really everything in his life. He is afraid of what will happen next, and for this reason really does not act upon his decisions. Later in the speech he says, ?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all? (129). This line is also very important because it shows how Hamlet tries to rationalize his inability to act. He is saying that everyone has a fear of the unknown and would rather take the safe route, instead of taking a chance. Hamlet does not want to be wrong in his decisions and always must be more than sure, if he acts on those decisions.
The event in the play that changes Hamlet is when he meets up with a captain in Fortibras? s army. The captain informs him of the thousands of soldiers fighting for Fortibras and of the young leader? s courage, and confidence. Hamlet is deeply impressed that someone can be so motivated and willing to lead thousands off to battle. He finally sees someone who is willing to act and take responsibility.
At the end of the encounter Hamlet declares, ? O, from this time forth My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth! ? (205). From this point Hamlet knows he must avenge his father and the only way it will happen is if he puts himself at risk and makes the revenge happen. Hamlet? s inability to act was resolved by the end of the play, but it ended up being too little too late. He had already hurt too many people with his bad decisions.
Hamlet was plagued by his own indecision throughout the play, it wasn? t all in vain though. After he changed his ways he did learn a lesson and that was in order to get things done sometimes one has to be the antagonist, and make it happen. In the end he did revenge his father?
s death and mother? s death, unfortunately he also met his doom.
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Research essay sample on Inability To Act Kill The King
