Hamlet Act Or Not To Act Essay

To Act or Not to Act In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Shakespeare utilizes soliloquies to express Hamlet’s strong emotions. Feeling exhausted and depressed after his father’s sudden death and his mother’s second marriage to Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius, Hamlet initially resents his uncle. Hamlet further demonstrates his emotional instability after discovering his uncle’s merciless actions against his father. While Hamlet feels responsible for avenging his father’s death, he appears incapable, as he not only searches for distractions, but also derives excuses to delay his violent actions. Through his complex relationships with his mother, Gertrude, and Ophelia, Hamlet distracts himself from his objective to kill his uncle. Prior to his confrontation

While Hamlet initially believes he confronted the ghost of his father, he casts doubt upon the validity of the ghost and its motives. Despite his rage and hatred towards his uncle, Hamlet hesitates to act, as “the spirit… may be the devil… and perhaps out of my weakness and my melancholy, as he is very potent with such spirits, abuses to damn me.” Lacking sufficient proof regarding the king’s violent actions, Hamlet continues to abstain from killing Claudius. Hamlet’s incapability to kill his uncle continues, despite having the means, motive, and opportunity to act. Observing his uncle praying alone, Hamlet considers acting in revenge; however, he refrains from acting, as he believes Claudius will not suffer the wraths of hell if he dies while in repentance for his sins. Rather, Hamlet concludes he must only act when his uncle, “is drunk asleep, or in his rage, or in th’ incestuous pleasure of his bed… or about some act that has no relish of salvation in ‘t,” to ensure his uncle’s suffering in hell. Seeming incapable of acting to kill Claudius, Hamlet further blames his inaction on his conscience and tendency to over think. After contemplating if he should kill his uncle, Hamlet expresses how his conscience about the immorality of killing leads to his weak nature. He understands his instinct to overthink has caused his “enterprises of great pitch and moment with this regard their currents turn awry, and lose the name of action,” yet he cannot overcome his natural instincts to act in honor of his