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Essay On Hamlet's Duty To Kill Claudius

727 Words3 Pages

In the world renowned play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the main character Hamlet procrastinates his duty to avenge his father by killing his uncle/step-father Colonius, even though he prolongs his duty, it is done right. “To be or not to be.” Hamlet fulfills his duty to reach his full potential by confirming Claudius actually did murder the former king of Denmark. Hamlet also confirms that when he kills Claudius will suffer after death as well. Hamlet, with advice from Horatio, gives himself some extra time to make sure that he can and will kill Claudius, before their battle. Hamlet does delay his task to avenge his father but, he does at the right time and he does it properly.

Before killing Hamlet needs to confirm if Claudius is a murderer and if he can trust a ghost. In the beginning of the play, Hamlet is told by the ghost of his father that Claudius killed him, shortly after the ghost tells Hamlet to avenge his father’s death. Hamlet believes the ghost and considers killing Claudius but, Hamlet double checks himself to make sure Claudius actually did kill the king by exposing his guilt after he sees a play similar to Claudius’ situation. This all is to make sure that Claudius actually killed …show more content…

In act five scene two,he prepares himself and his final thoughts before he decides the time is proper to kill Claudius. Horatio has part in this but he helps Hamlet make a decision. This allowed Hamlet to make sure he wanted to go through with killing, even if his new philosophy on life shows it will mean nothing. Without this little bit of extra time Hamlet creates for himself he discovers soon he will have to kill Claudius. “If it be not now, yet it will come. The readiness is all. Since no man has aught of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes?” (5.2.163-167). This extra time was significant to Hamlet so he could complete his task

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