Summary Of Hamlet Act 4 Scene 4

Act 4 scene 4 sees a much developed character of Hamlet following his introspective and self-loathing characterisation in the earlier scenes. The rash slaughter of Polonius and his reaction following that proved to be a turning point for Hamlet allowing him to embody the conventional trajic hero foreshadowing that his downfall would be partly related to his hubris. In this soliloquy, Shakespeare harnesses Hamlet's language to convey the character's pivotal position between the changing world and ideas about revenge and honour and his conflict within himself about carrying out revenge and complications surrounding taking lives to further one's cause. Religious implications are also mentioned as Hamlet's own Christianity plays a major role once

This is used when Hamlet compares 'God-like reason' with 'Beastial oblivion' creating a juxtaposing, uneasy effect paralleling Hamlet's own frequent qualms about being at the pinnacle of these two conflicting readings into the aparrent glory of revenge. Shakespeare frequently employs descriptive language in which parallels or stark contrasts can be drawn to allow complex, yet conflicting ideas about the character to be drawn. This is evident in his first description of Fortinbras being 'Of unimproved mettle, hot and full' but Hamlet's first likening to the passion and formidable mood of threat that imagery of hot blood gives is when he states 'My thoughts be bloody' highlighting that it is only his internal turmoil that remains set on seeking revenge. This refers to Hanlet's fatal flaw being his indescisiveness and lack of action being his hamartia, foreshadowing his eventual death. The fact that Fortinbras is also never mentioned displaying any sort of fatal flaw also hints at his

Not only is he aware of the implications it has in the course of events to follow when sucessfully carrying out murder but the moral ambiguity surronding killing in the name of revenge. 'One part wisdom and three parts coward' reflects Hamlet's self-awereness surrounding his overthinking showing that he is aware his lack of action is his hamartia, being a significant component in his downfall as a tragic hero. 'I have cause and will and strength and means to do't' goes on to highlight that his procrastination is the only thing setting him apart from the archetypal Machiavellian prince who uses any means to justify his ends.
His anguish at having to carry out this deed becomes central to the character's stuggle and Shakespeare utilises emotive language to present this to the reader. 'That have a father killed, a mother slain' shows Hamlet reflecting back on his complicated relationship with death which the reader has seen Hamlet craving previously 'Or that the Everlasting had not fixed his canon 'gainst self-slaughter.' This exploration of death is a significant marker of the character's development throughout the story as now he is seen as abhorring the notion of killing, 'To my shame I see the imminent death of twenty thousand