Hamlet the Sentimental Dreamer - 1589 Words

Hamlet: The Sentimental Dreamer The Tragedy of Hamlet Prince of Denmark is William Shakespeare’s most well-known and analyzed work of literature. As the play unfolds, Hamlet has to face the difficult task of seeking revenge against his uncle, Claudius, for the murder of his father, King Hamlet. Hamlet has captured audiences and readers for centuries and has caused much inquiry and debate. Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a very psychologically complex character. Throughout the play, Hamlet conveys two different sides; the young, emotional and intelligent prince, who is committed to honesty and loyalty; and his destructive and impulsive side which led to the death of Polonius and nonchalantly sent Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to their deaths as†¦show more content†¦2.2.634-35). This quote means that Hamlet will study Claudius during the performance of the play, and should he change his behavior, he will know that the Ghost’s story was true and he can now take revenge. Even despite the fact .that Hamlet now knows that Claudius killed his father, he still delays his actions. This goes on to show that Hamlet is an intellectual dreamer. Hamlet gets a perfect opportunity to kill Claudius but he neglects to kill him because he is in prayer. Hamlet delays in action of seeking revenge against Claudius when he quotes, â€Å"Now might I do it(pat,) now he is a-praying, and now I’ll do it/ And so he goes to heaven/ And so am I(revenged.) That would be scanned: A villan kills my father, and for that/ I, his sole son, do this same villain send to Heaven† (Ham. 3.3.77-83). Hamlet’s rationale for this was that he assumed Claudius was confessing his sins, and his death would send him to heaven. For Hamlet, taking revenge is just not about killing Claudius, but making sure that he suffers, another deeply thought-out belief. Hamlet is too much of a thinker and not enough of an actor. Even when Hamlet is given the opportunity to carry out his intentions, he delays and re asons himself out of it. Hamlet does have an almost excessive desire to reason everything through thoroughly. As a dreamer, Hamlet is lacking of that strength which would carry him through his actions.