Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s most renowned pieces of work and remains to this very day one of the most influential tragedies in English literature. In the play Hamlet is inclined to enact his father’s revenge on his Uncle, Claudius. Claudius is the individual responsible for the previous king’s death and it is his acts of treachery and deceit that ultimately leads through a cycle involving the desire for vengeance and supposed justice, leading to a significant amount of chaos. The results of these acts of betrayal and treachery assist in developing the character of Hamlet and Claudius. Additionally, they are also utilized to promote the evident, yet subtle, theme of corruption and decay. The audience gets the first indication of Claudius’ …show more content…
Hamlet, at the beginning of the play has his mind in complete turmoil. Hamlet speaks about the possibility of killing himself after having to endure the unusual circumstances of his mother’s remarriage and after his mother and stepfather demand that he stays within Denmark and is prohibited to continue with his studies in Wittenberg. This is the first time Hamlet brings up the thought of suicide. “O, that this too-solid flesh would melt, thaw and resolve itself into a dew!” (Act I, II 129-130) He explicitly states that this world has nothing to offer him. “How weary stale and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this world!”(Act I, II 133-134) This quotation suggests that because Hamlet sees no use in continuing life in this awful realm, death is a much more appealing path. However, as appealing as it is, death is not a viable option as it is forbidden by Hamlet’s …show more content…
He is trapped within a dilemma of moral ethics. Any action he takes will be morally dubious. Not taking this revenge will reduce him and make him ill-suited to be a prince by his own standards, however enacting revenge will lead to a similar consequence. In act III scene III Hamlet has the perfect opportunity to enact his father’s vengeance. In this scene Claudius is alone, begging for forgiveness. He wants to redeem himself for the crimes he has committed. However he is reluctant to give up his throne or Gertrude, and all “those effects for which I did murder”. Claudius expects to be doomed to an eternity in hell. Hamlet witnesses the King’s prayers, and even though he recognizes this to be a perfect opportunity to slay the king, he finds that he cannot. Hamlet remembers the unfortunate incident of his father; Claudius killed him before he could make amends for his sins. “Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature are burnt and purged away” (Act I scene V 12-13) this is said by Hamlet’s father who now withers in purgatory, waiting for his fate to be revealed. Hamlet believes that Claudius is praying, and in turn, most likely confessing as well. Hamlet realizes that if he chooses to slay the king right here and now, and kill him in the middle of his confession, he would allow the king to be sent straight to heaven by virtue of