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Motives In Hamlet Essay

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Motivations give a precise understanding of what an individual wants in life. acts that follow the motive provide the greatest indication of what extent an individual is prepared to go to get what they want."Hamlet," a play by William Shakespeare, explores many different aspects of individual motives and how they influence an individual's course of actions. Through the figure of Hamlet, the play depicts Prince Hamlet's efforts to seek revenge for his father's death. In a condition of mental distress, Hamlet concentrates on revenge while dealing with betrayal, madness, and revenge. The play leaves the audience with an insightful discussion about human nature and the consequences of one's choices. Shakespeare suggests individuals will struggle …show more content…

His constant self-reflection and contemplation lead him to hesitate and procrastinate taking revenge for his father. This barrier becomes evident when Hamlet considers the consequences of reckless acts, stating "Thus conscience does make cowards of us all" (Act 3, Scene 1). Hamlet's internal conflict about the ethical effects of revenge keeps him from acting quickly and effectively. Furthermore, the impact of external factors complicates situations. Hamlet struggles between his moral doubts and his loyalty to his father's spirit orders. The discovery of his mother's rushed marriage to his uncle contributes to his mental grief, causing tension between family loyalty and his pursuit of justice. Hamlet says to his mother about her marriage, “You cannot call it love, for at your age The heyday in the blood is tame, it's humble And waits upon the judgment” (Act 3, Scene 4). This demonstrates Hamlet's shock about his mother marrying Claudius less than a month after his father’s …show more content…

Despite his doubts, he ultimately decides to take action against his uncle, but it comes at a high cost. Polonius' accidental death serves as a turning point, increasing the consequences of his actions and pushing him further insane. Hamlet's grief can be seen when he states, "For this same lord, I do repent, but heaven hath pleased it so To punish me with this, and this with me" (Act 3, Scene 4). Additionally, his interactions with the gravedigger in Act 5 scene 1, as well as his witness to Ophelia's burial, lead Hamlet to face the fragile nature of life and the certainty of death. These encounters increased his self-reflective character, causing him to become more introverted and intellectual. Hamlet's concerns regarding the decay of the body and the amount of time until the body rots represent his reflection on the state of humanity and the temporary character of life. As he discusses the disintegration of bodies and the progress of time, the gravedigger's response, "Faith, if he be not rotten before he die—as we have many pocky corses nowadays that will scarce hold the laying in— he will last you some eight year or nine year. A tanner will last you nine year" (Act 5, Scene 1), emphasizes the temporary nature of life even

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