Professional Documents
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DeForest
ENG 102W
August 10, 2010
Hamlets Revenge
In Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Shakespeare has Hamlet delay in seeking revenge for many
reasons. The most general (and obvious) reason being that he wanted to have the story develop in a
way that would keep the reader or play-watcher in suspense, awe, and interest peeked. Aside from the
thesis of this paper, I think it important to consider the context and environment in which the play was
presented. This had influence on the way he decided to develop his drama as well. On the surface we
see a story that needs room to breathe, poetry to be delivered, and a canvas large enough to complete
the picture held in his mind's eye. As we dig deeper into the story itself, the details as to why
Shakespeare delays Hamlet's revenge and it's relationship to the plot are unveiled.
In order to better understand the answer to the question, (why Shakespeare has Hamlet delay
revenge) we have to look at some of the details that develop it's answer. The moment Shakespeare has
Hamlet learn of the truths that lead to his fathers death, is also the moment Hamlet begins down his
long unraveling road. “What else . . .” could possibly go wrong with the already corrupt Denmark?
Hamlet's overwhelming mix of emotion is more than he can take as he begs “bear me stiffly up.” The
wheels of his mind are turning, constantly weighing out the integrity of every man and woman around
him, “that one may smile, and smile, and be a villain.” Shakespeare clearly shows the reason for
Hamlets emotional upheaval here; for this reason, I disagree with A.C. Bradley's perception in Strohn
simply do not have enough information on Hamlet's life, prior to this circumstance, to make such a
judgment call and to do so would be “psycho-analyzing a fictional character,” as Woodard puts it.
Hamlet was faced with cold truths that spun him into confusion, doubt, and self-reflection, hardly a
“describ[ing] Hamlet as a man . . .” rather than looking through the eye of the author. Shakespeare has
created the perfect conflict, with new problems arising from every potential solution and as if that
weren't enough, he does so by encompassing all three aspects of the human life: mental, physical, and
spiritual. I'm not rabbit trailing here, I'm going somewhere with this, so bear with me.
First, he goes for the spiritual approach, “I am thy father's spirit,” and the rest of the “Ghost”
dialog through line 24, eludes to purgatory and such. This is enough to cause a conflict within the
audience itself; he's captured their attention. The spiritual conflict continues throughout as he has
Hamlet struggle within himself, debating what is or is not after death. “To be, or not to be, . . . [truly
is] . . . the question.” Hamlet goes 'round and 'round on it and I'm not sure he really gets anywhere. If
Hamlet carries out his revenge upon his step-father-uncle-bastard at this point, would that mean giving
the king his spiritual and physical freedom? Would it be more profitable a punishment to let the king
squirm in misery of his guilt, knowing that his sins had found him out? Although the spiritual conflict
continues to thread through the story, I do not have the time nor space to elaborate.
Secondly, he digs hard into the mental conflict, added to the spiritual. Hamlet, “pale as his
shirt,” comes back from his encounter with the Ghost “knees [a'] knockin['] . . . . The kingdom's
concluded his insanity, with his following rash actions, “wherein now he raves.” He may have gone
crazy, and rightfully so, but not mad. Again, back and forth with not only spiritual, but mental
confusion to top it off. This guy is so twisted up over the current events that he is not able to be the
Lastly the physical aspect, while not a large part of the conflict, definitely makes the mental and
spiritual harder for him to sort out. He can't trust what he sees with his eyes, from his father to Ophelia,
to the kings counsel. What he does see doesn't add up with what he can't, and what he can't see isn't
adding up with what he believes. This is why the infamous soliloquy is so pinnacle, and trodden upon.
“To be, or not to be,” often misinterpreted, is paramount in the core of every human being; this is why
Shakespeare spends the time to develop Hamlet's plot. Shakespeare has precisely targeted the human
dilemma, and must in turn have Hamlet realistically struggle, conflict within conflict, within conflict.
Truth, lies, heaven, hell, ethics, morality, and guilt-less killing. He has Hamlet delay in seeking revenge
so that he can effectively develop an accurate picture of mankind's own conflict. This has nothing to do
with Hamlet as a person, rather Shakespeare wanted to progress and include more life situations to
better relate to the people. In turn, he would be getting more sales and repeat audience members
because he has set up the perfect scenario; a question that is inherent to our nature about spirituality,
life and meaning. This is what the people wanted and still want today, and this is the reason for delayed
revenge.