Hamlet seeks revenge on King Claudius for killing his father. Hamlet begs his mother to give up her relationship with Claudius, having married him two weeks after his father's death. He does not feel indignant enough to rush out and kill the villain; as a result, he feels uncomfortable about himself and he blames his mother because she obviously feels even more indifferent to the whole affair than he does. He would like his mother to initiate the revenge process for him. He tries to arouse in her the indignation he himself cannot feel, in order to catch it second hand from her, perhaps, out of some kind of mimetic sympathy. Between Gertrude and Claudius, Hamlet would like to see a dramatic break that would force him to side resolutely with his mother (Girard 164). Current research indicates that Gertrude must have felt a tremendous atta!.
chment to Claudius (Girard 173). Far from confirming that view, the following lines suggest exactly the opposite:.
Nor sense to ecstasy was ever so thralled.
But it reserved some quantity of choice.
To serve in such a difference (III. iv.).
Though the dramatic action of the play does not reveal more than a single opportunity when Claudius is alone in prayer, this dramatized opportunity comes about approximately two months after Hamlet has vowed a swift revenge to himself. It is because of this procrastination that Hamlet admits in a soliloquy that he considers himself a coward. After this enlightenment, Hamlet has become so disgusted with himself that he finally creates a plan to let Claudius know about his knowledge of his father's death. .
I am very sorry, good Horatio,.
That to Laertes I forgot myself,.
For by the image of my cause I see.
The portraiture of his. I"ll court his favors.
But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me.
Into a towering passion. (V. ii.).
Laertes also seeks revenge in Hamlet. His reasons are just in that he looks to get back at Hamlet for killing his father and, in his eyes, abusing his sister.
