The first reason for the delay may be that Hamlet was not completely sure that Claudius had killed his father. The ghost who claims to be Hamlet's father and has some unfinished business on earth asks for Hamlet to revenge his death. The reason that Hamlet is not sure whether or not the ghost is telling the truth is that he feels the ghost may be the devil. This idea is portrayed when Hamlet says, "The spirit that I have seen may be a devil, and the devil hath power t' assume a pleasing shape." (I.ii. 611-612) Hamlet is wondering if this is a ghost from heaven or a ghost from hell. No one wants to go to hell, so Hamlet must make sure that he is doing what is right. He does not want to be influenced by the devil in any way. The Christian thoughts of the time

Hamlet does not want to have the responsibility of setting things right in the kingdom yet either. Evidence of this is found when he says, "O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right!" (I.v., 188-189) That is a lot of responsibility to be thrust on a young man who is not characteristically built that way.

Hamlet has much anger towards Claudius, and has reason according to the ghost to kill him, but Hamlet wants to be sure that Claudius is the man who killed his father. This is when the play within the play comes to be a factor in Hamlet's thoughts. The play is designed to draw Claudius's guilt and fear out into the open. By having a play that has a similar plot and a person being poisoned through the ear, but with a slight twist. While watching the play, Hamlet has Horatio watch the new king to see if he will act guilty when certain scenes arise in the play.

It will take much poking and prodding for Hamlet to finally embrace revenge on his Uncle. Hamlet, who is one who thinks through all possibilities, finds that he sometimes he acts rash because he thinks too much.. Hamlet has many things going on in his life and for a young gentleman, some may argue that this is too much.

Hamlet's main concern is that he wants to gain revenge without losing his dignity. Hamlet needs to somehow set things right without being involved in evil. This is the problem. How do you kill someone, without that being an evil act?

The burden of his father's death, his mother's quick marriage, and the death of Ophelia, all may have contributed the Hamlet's change of thinking. He has become a very confused individual, but still tries to do what is right for him, his family, and his country.

There must be other reasons for this delay of revenge. Another theory is that Hamlet did not want the responsibility that would come with killing Claudius. The first sign of Hamlet's fear is when Hamlet states; "I am too much in the sun." (I.ii., 66) He feels that too many people are looking to see what he does. He is too young to have people look to him for the answers. Hamlet is the next in line to become king. When Claudius dies by Hamlet's hand, the crown would then be forced upon him. He would have an entire country to lead and would be very much in the sun.

When

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Approximate Word count = 1548
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)