... father's murder. Now that Hamlet is aware of the situation, he beats himself up for not acting on his Father's words to seek revenge. He says "A damn'd defeat was made! Am I a coward? Who calls me a villain? Breaks my pate across?" (Act II ii 567 - 568). Hamlet is not sure whether it is right to seek revenge, and he often thinks about ... killing him when he catches him in the act of doing something horrific, ensuring he goes to Hell. "And now I'll do't: and so he goes to heaven: And so I am revenged. That would be scann'd: A villain kills my father; and, for that, I, his sole son, do t...

• Word Count: 1089
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... origin of the play to be a man of "virtues pure as grace" and clear intelligence. Yet as the play develops, Hamlet is shown to be feigning madness "I am but mad north-north west" as he himself recognises. Shakespeare uses an antic disposition in Hamlet to explore the realities of the corrupted place around him, a technique that attempts ... , "the pretended madness of Hamlet causes much mirth." Over time Hamlet becomes increasingly mad as he goes from certain action "ill wipe away from all trivial fond records" in Act 1 to describing his previously certain action as "mad in craft." This ...

• Word Count: 782
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... murder immediately. Hamlet initially meets his challenge with zeal, promising the Ghost he will produce quick results, "Yea, from the table of my memory I"ll wipe away all trivial, fond records...And thy commandment all alone shall live Within the book and volume of my brain, Unmixed with baser matter. Yes, by heaven" (II. I. 111). Yet despite this stirring vow of ... . Now failing to act on the matter, Hamlet demonstrates the negative effect of his impractical reflections. As the play continues, Hamlet ironically reflects upon his hesitance. "Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave, T...

• Word Count: 810
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School