Hamlet is a very messy, yet relatable play. This is likely due to Shakespeare’s intent of using indirect characterization on Hamlet to examine the significances behind the complexities of the human mind. Shakespeare’s inclusion of soliloquies and thoughtful development of all the characters effectively display Hamlet’s true feelings and objectives towards the progression of the plot. The idea of revenge is the master manipulator behind Hamlet’s thought process when making decisions, carrying out actions, and plainly daydreaming. Although Hamlet is gifted with the ability of shifting between feigning madness and acting as his sane self in order to succeed, not all the characters in the play are as fortunate. Revenge has resulted in the characters …show more content…
The spirit of King Hamlet explains his current state of despair in Purgatory, where he must suffer until his murderer is brought to justice. Although murder is not exactly an accurate method of penance for sins, Hamlet eagerly obliges to his father’s request to avenge him. Throughout the play, it is then made clear that the formidable task of revenge is intolerable for Hamlet, as he procrastinates on taking any initiative, and hesitates to execute any actions. There have been multiple occasions in which Hamlet is presented with the perfect opportunity to avenge his father, but he gives up the opportunity in exchange for an excuse. For example, when Claudius is completely vulnerable and attempting to pray, Hamlet pushes off the murder, claiming to believe that murdering a praying Claudius would just send Claudius to Heaven. Revenge has also given Hamlet the unfavourable attributes of conniving behaviour, and madness. In the early scenes of the play, Hamlet effectively manipulates characters he considers untrustworthy, into thinking he is deranged. On the other hand, he successfully plays his stable self around his friends and other dependable characters. However, in his soliloquies, Hamlet often showcases ideas, emotions and thoughts that give off a lunatic vibe as the play progresses. An example of this would be in Act 2 Scene 2, lines 585-590, in which Hamlet is debated whether or not it is really the spirit of his dead father communicating with him, or rather the devil persuading him to commit a sin by murdering Claudius. These qualities of madness and severe indecision associated to Hamlet have not only damaged him psychologically and emotionally, but have had detrimental effects on the rest of the characters as well. This is ultimately proven by the deaths of the majority of the main cast, with the exception of Laertes. Even Hamlet’s personal demise is due to his