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How Did Hamlet Contribute To His Actions

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Hamlet: A Justified Retribution Through His Fatal Actions. Choices are constantly being made, influenced by the state of one’s mind. The mind is fragile and flawed; susceptible to taking actions with unforeseen consequences. In William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, the events leading to Hamlet’s ultimate downfall are through his actions, directly influenced by his tragic character flaws. Hamlet’s flaws of vengefulness, indecision, and arrogance fully explain his inevitable fate in his actions. He introduces additional problems due to his eagerness for vengeance by feigning madness, cuts off future opportunities because of his indecision, and ignores threats and warnings due to his arrogance. his actions. Firstly, Hamlet’s vengeance initially …show more content…

The strong urge to avenge his father makes him rashly state that he will “put an antic disposition on” (1.5.192) without any reconsideration. The decision to act mad is a risky commitment that limits opportunities and adds risks to future decisions. Additionally, Hamlet employs his feigned madness in order to hide his true feelings of vengeance; the consequence of this act being the loss of his reputation. Opehila comments on Hamlet’s behaviour, stating “what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!” (3.1.163). This thought is similarly shared among others whom Hamlet interacts with, demonstrating the consequence of his revenge. His decreasing popularity becomes evident as he is responsible for Ophelia's death through his feigned madness, and when he kills Polonius by accident, resulting in Laertes’ involvement with Claudius against him. In short, Hamlet’s feelings of vengeance blind his judgment, making him irrationally act mad for revenge, which restricts the choices in his actions, as well as sacrificing his …show more content…

Similarly, Hamlet’s inaction allows Claudius to get away with his schemes despite knowing he is manipulating him. Overall, Hamlet’s choice paralysis is the result of thinking too much about the nature of death. This leads to missing a valuable opportunity to kill Cladius, a mistake that Cladius uses against him through his authority and deceit. Lastly, Hamlet’s arrogance makes him not take his situation and enemies seriously. His egocentric personality leads to him dismissing many warnings and threats from Horatio. He strongly insists that Hamlet should not chase after the ghost, he responds “Why, what should be the fear? I do not set my life in a pin’s fee, And for my soul—what can it do to that, Being a thing immortal as itself?” (1.5.72-75). Hamlet constantly ignores Horatio’s advice and his reasons for it. This is relevant because of his unexplained logic in many of his decisions and actions. Additionally, Hamlet’s arrogance leads to his underestimation of his enemies, causing him to be overconfident in making poor decisions. Proven by Hamlet’s response to Rosencraft, stating “do you think I am easier to play on than a

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