He Who Accomplishes Nothing
Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, features one of the most complex characters in all of dramatic literature; Hamlet is often contradictory and conflicted about his principles of morality and exacting revenge. Samuel Taylor Coleridge surmises that Hamlet "delays action till action is of no use." To a certain degree, Coleridge's words ring true; Hamlet's inability in taking quick action prevents him from taking advantage of opportunities that are presented to him. Instead of quickly avenging the murder of his father, Hamlet wavers between the idea of immoral and moral action, societal duties of being a clean citizen and filial duties to his father; during the Elizabethan period, avenging someone was considered taboo and was condemned. However, Coleridge's words are flawed in the sense that he paints Hamlet as only a hesitant, overly intellectual man who is ultimately unsuccessful. He is clearly successful in the final act by avenging his father and having his previous sins absolved; in the final act, he brings closure to his obligation to his father and his morality. Essentially, Hamlet is a conflicted character torn between moral and filial duties; although his actions are often delayed, he is not unsuccessful, but is merely h
Coleridge claims that Hamlet "delays action till action is of no use," but his statement can be refuted in the sense that he does take action and ultimately succeeds. When Hamlet questions his actions, he has delayed it enough so that he could guarantee the damnation of Claudius and the vengeance of his father; he has fulfilled his filial duties in every way. If Hamlet had not delayed his actions until the very end, Claudius would not have damned himself and Hamlet would have sent Claudius to heaven, thus never truly avenging his father. Throughout the play, Hamlet is often frustrated about his moral duties, thus stalling his course of action; however, in the very last scene, he has successfully purified himself from sin, bringing closure to his conflicted sense of morality. Though Hamlet is portrayed as a tragic hero suffering throughout an ordeal and dying for it, he ultimately accomplishes his goal by honoring his father's wishes while coming out with his moral integrity remaining. The first impression of Hamlet sets the tone for the rest of the play: a man filled with great sorrow, but unwilling to act upon his impulses. When the reader is introduced to the brooding figure of Hamlet, she can almost feel his tension and frustration radiating from his words; this is especially true when he speaks of his torment against the incestuous marriage of his mother, Gertrude, and his uncle, Claudius, but does not take initiative and holds in his anguish by exclaiming "but break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue" (I.ii.164). His unwillingness to take action is further revealed when his dead father's ghost visits him, informing his son about Claudius' treachery and requesting that Hamlet avenge his father's murder. Although he agrees to carry out the act of vengeance, he questions his decision to avenge his father; this is most evident when he exclaims "thus conscience does make cowards of us all" (III.I.91). By "conscience," Hamlet is referring to his morality; although he fears the consequences of murdering Claudius, he feels obligated to continue with his promise to his father's ghost. His
Some common words found in the essay are:
Essentially Hamlet, Claudius Hamlet, Polonius Laertes, Taylor Coleridge, William Shakespeare, avenging father, claudius damned, final act, kill claudius, filial duties, heaven hath pleased, delays action till, action till action, hamlet delays action, father's ghost, delays action, till action, action till, coleridge's words,
Approximate Word count = 1424
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
