Example Essays Home

FAQ

Acceptable Use Policy

Tech Support

LOG IN!

Click HERE for Instant Access

This is a free preview of the paper.

Join Now
Log In

Hamlet

In the play, Hamlet is clearly the good and loyal son, faithful to the memory of his father, while Claudius is an evil murderer of his own kin. Interestingly, the size of the final death toll can be mainly blamed on Hamlet’s actions or rather his lack of action. After learning from his father’s ghost about the circumstances of his father’s murder “by a brother’s hand Of life, of crown, of queen at once dispatched” (I.v. 75), Hamlet struggles with his conscience about actually killing his uncle. At the same time, Hamlet feels guilty that he is not avenging his father’s death and calls himself a coward. He wants further evidence of Claudius’ guilt before actually killing him, so he arranges a performance that resembles his father’s murder to check on Claudius’ reaction, “The play’s the thing Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the King” (III.i.559-560). Unfortunately, Hamlet’s crisis of conscience gives Claudius time to become suspicious. The time delay caused by Hamlet’s indecision allows Claudius to take precautions that eventually result in more deaths than are necessary to avenge the murder of King Hamlet.

The first death that occurs in the play is by Hamlet’s hand. Polonius hides in Q

Some topics in this essay:
, Hamlet Hamlet, Hamlet Polonius, Guildenstern Hamlet, Rosencrantz Guildenstern, Hamlet Eventually, Polonius Claudius’, King Claudius, Unfortunately Hamlet’s, Polonius Laertes, hamlet killed, hamlet hamlet, rosencrantz guildenstern, father’s death, murder king hamlet, actually killing, king claudius, poison intended, intended hamlet, hamlet death, murder king, poison intended hamlet, hamlet killed claudius,