Hamlet is no doubt one of the greatest literary works ever written. William Shakespeare presents in it complexity of human nature and examination of human behavior. After reading this drama one of the main questions we have to ask is ` Why does Hamlet delay?’. Why does he wait so long before taking revenge on Claudius for killing his father? While answering the question about postponement we have to take under consideration few aspects.
First of all let us start with probably one of the most popular theory, which is mental weakness and lack of physical strength. Hamlet as a student of art has an artistic soul. That means, he is very sensitive and lost in emotions person, who does not know what to do:’ Yet I, a dull and muddy-mettled rascal, unpregnant of my cause` (Act Two, Scene Two).
The prince as a perfect example of philosopher takes everything under consideration. He is rather perfectionist; therefore he wants to plan everything in great detail. The prince also meditates often upon how cruel and unfair the world is. Hamlet regards himself as too sensitive, too good and too philosophically theoretical for this world.
Therefore, after the talk with the ghost, he wants to analyze everything before taking any action. Nevertheless, next to mental weakness, lies the trouble with physical condition. In the first soliloquy Hamlet says:’ My father’s brother: but no more like my father, than I to Hercules’ (Act One, Scene Two).
He is aware of the physical weakness, but in my opinion it is only an excuse for the further postponement. We can also add, that Hamlet does not have enough courage and he is afraid of remorse. But we have to remember, that although the young prince does not have strong psyche and is poetical and philosophical nature is not ready to hoist the weight, fallen on him after his father’s death.
The sadness after father’s death, marriage of his mother, lack of strong will, and other aspects which make up on the prince’s mental problems show how fragile human psyche can be, and how easy we can destroy the peace of human consciousness. Hamlet is a perfect example of duality of human nature. He wants to take revenge on the murderer of his loving father, but at the same time his morality and sensibility as well as his egoistic and selfish needs prevent him from doing it. He wants to perform an act, which is at variance with his nature.
Bibliography:
- Mercer, Peter 1987, Hamlet And The Acting of Revenge, University of Iowa Press, Iowa City.
- Knights, Lionel Charles 1970, Some Shakespearean Themes; An Approach to Hamlet, Penguin Books; Harmondsworth.
