Hamlet's Delay: Examining Mental Weakness and Physical Strength - Essay Sample

Introduction

Undoubtedly, Hamlet is considered the greatest work written by William Shakespeare. In essence, Shakespeare gives a complex view of the examination of human behavior and the complexity of human nature. For readers to understand Hamlet's delay, there is a need to understand one of the most popular approaches based on a lack of physical strength and mental weaknesses (Dahiya 65). Because Hamlet suffers from mental weakness and physical strength based on a hierarchical position, his delay makes him flawless.

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Hamlet is portrayed as a student of art with a massive artistic soul. In other words, Hamlet loses his emotions easily and is highly sensitive, who does not understand what to do next. However, a weak character is not the only reason to support his entire behaviors. At the beginning of their encounter, the prince is depicted as an individual who is confused about his uncle's guilt (Tobin 71). The prince becomes certain about his uncle's guilt only when the play is arranged, and he observes Claudius's reaction. From this perceptive, readers can reasonably think after his certainty over this matter will make him start acting, but surprisingly he has to face another obstacle.

Shakespeare expounds on is the family relations and royal positions. Under the hierarchical flow, the king takes the top level of power. Such that if Hamlet were to kill Claudius, he would be subjected to a thorough and consequential punishment. The case will not be treated similarly to Polonius manslaughter (Dahiya 56). In Polonius instance, people are briefed that the prince was responsible for his demise, but was never subjected to any charge. In that context, the argument was very simple: Hamlet had a higher social position as compared to Polonius.

The other concept to explore is the family bond. Even is Claudius is regarded as a killer, he is a staunch member of Hamlet's family. The strong bond is based on his marriage with Gertrude that makes him become the stepfather of the prince. Hamlet must be worried since killing this man would mean that he has killed a member of his family. From this perspective, Hamlet appears to be more uncertain and confused about his action. In essence, if he strikes first, he would have to overcome his own mother's reactions and family reaction.

The other point of view will be centered on royal positions. Claudius is a king, meaning he is very protected and accompanied by most of his subordinates all the time (Tobin 73). Notably, it would be difficult for anybody from a lower rank to kill the king without having any person to witness. Thus, it is very difficult for even a prince to kill the king.

The other concept is that Hamlet is a philosopher instead of being a man of action like Laertes and Claudius. In this state, he has to ponder over his action before acting on the event as directed by the Ghost (Dahiya 64). Hamlet is reflective and intellectual and prefers to think first before he acts. Hamlet is forced to think because he was unsure of the morality of killing. Readers would understand that he faces delay because he is moralistic and idealistic. Hamlet understands that ecclesiastical law revenge, but again suffers the privilege of honor. Hamlet is fully aware of what he has to do, which makes him even perfect in articulating his action.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hamlet is perfect in articulating his action. Hamlet faces obstacles like family relations, social relations, and royal position. Readers would understand that he faces delay because he is moralistic and idealistic.

Works Cited

Dahiya, H. undefined. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2019.

Tobin, J. Hamlet: Evans Shakespeare editions. Cengage Learning, 2011.