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Hamlet

 

             Hamlet's own suicidal tendencies arise from his father's death. In the first couple scenes, Hamlet is in a very melancholy, mourning state. His father's passing causes his grieving. Even his mother advises him, "Do not forever with thy vailed lids seek for thy noble father in the dust." After Hamlet learns about his father's murder, the consequence is, he himself asks the question, "To be or not to be." His misery started with his father's passing, and now he contemplates his own death as a result. He sees death as closure to all of his pain and suffering. He battles with his un sure convictions on whether suicide is a sin that will condemn him to hell or not, and cannot decide if suicide would be a sure way to end his misery. This battle over eternal damnation is seen later, when Hamlet tries to kill Claudius, but he is praying. Hamlet then determines since Claudius is praying, and being forgiven of his sins, he will not spend eternity suffering like his father, if he is killed at that moment. His father walks the earth for eternity because his sins were not forgiven. Old Hamlet serves as a symbol for what religious figures thought was morally right at the time. Revenge consumes him to the point where death is not enough. He wants to know Claudius will eternally suffer as well. This fate is exactly Hamlet fears, when he contemplates his own death. However, the misery he feels may prove to be to strong, and win over his ultimate decision. His actions may lead him to the grave, a consequence brought on by death.
             Claudius's fate is a direct result of his murderous actions. Claudius is guilty of the murder of Old Hamlet. When Hamlet finds out, this causes Hamlet to seek revenge for his father's death. Hamlet is furious, and wants justice to be paid, in full. Hamlet sees death as the best means for revenge; having the crime mimic the punishment. In the end, Claudius is killed as "thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane".


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