Hamlet A Man Of Action Essay

Hamlet: A Man Of Action Essay, Research Paper

Hamlet Research Paper

In the film, Star Wars, Luke Skywalker attempts to avenge his father.s spiritual death to the dark side. Luke denies his father.s existence and comes close to turning to the dark side. Ultimately, Luke rejects the lure of the dark side, and avenges his father when he kills the Emperor. The Emperor is the leader of the dark side who killed his father. Luke then goes on to lead the good forces in the universe. Likewise, in William Shakespeare.s Hamlet, Claudius murders King Hamlet, and Prince Hamlet, while acting kingly, struggles to act to avenge the murder. Hamlet proves to be a kingly man whose circumstances sometimes prohibit him from revenge. Thus, Hamlet is a natural leader.

Hamlet seems slow in his attempts to avenge his father. He displays, however, an unwavering predisposition to act.

Hamlet speaks plainly to Horatio in Court explaining that .The funeral baked meats did furnish the marriage tables. (1.2.180) of Claudius and Gertrude. Hamlet could confront Gertrude or Claudius about their strange and hasty marriage, instead it seems that all he does is allow the marriage to happen, fails to act, and complains to Horatio. Hamlet discovers Claudius is the murderer, sees him praying alone and thinks that .Now might [he] [kill Claudius]” (3.3.73). Hamlet seemingly could kill Claudius and fulfill his duty to avenge his father, but fails to kill him. Additionally, Fortinbras.s army later inspires Hamlet while they are marching off to battle, which prompts him to questions .How stand I then/… and let all sleep. (4.4.56-59) when he has so much to fight for. Hamlet apparently realizes his total inability to avenge his father, and recognizes his own failure to act. Despite seeming inaction, Hamlet proves to be extremely diligent in avenging his father.

Hamlet explains to Bernardo, Marcellus and Horatio that he .shall…put an antic disposition on. (1.4.71) after he sees the ghost; in order to learn more about the murder of his father. Hamlet.s scheme to act insane hides his true motives from anyone suspicious of him, which improves his chance of revenge. After the King sends him to England, Hamlet writes to Horatio that pirates attack his ship, (an attack which he planned), so .[he] boarded them. (4.5.15). Hamlet could have easily sat back and awaited death in England, but he realizes that if he returns to Denmark than he still can exact revenge upon Claudius. Then, Hamlet ensures the King.s death in the melee after the duel, when he pours poison in Claudius.s mouth commanding .Drink of this potion. (5.2.305). Hamlet achieves his goal and shows .unscrupulous resolution,” (Swinburne, 90) he has the opportunity to avenge his father, and does so without hesitation.

Unequivocally, Hamlet is a man of action. Some may think, however, that Hamlet.s circumstances force him to act. After Rosencrantz and Guildenstern leave Hamlet alone in the palace, he thinks about the ghost he has seen, and recognizes .The spirit/may be a devil. (2.2.555-556), so he stages a play to catch the king. Hamlet understands that the ghost could have lied to him, so it seems that he stages the play only because he has seen the ghost and been confronted with the possible murder of his father. Later, during Hamlet.s play, a villain puts poison in a man.s ear, identical to the murder of King Hamlet, and seeing this .[Claudius] rises. (3.2.242) in horror. Hamlet now knows Claudius is the perpetrator, which forces him to kill Claudius. Hamlet explains to Horatio at court that he discovered on his way to England that there were orders so that .[Hamlet.s] head should be struck off. (5.2.25) once he reached port. It seems that this explains why Hamlet leaves the ship. He had to leave or he would have been killed. Though circumstance may seem to force Hamlet to act, his circumstances actually prohibit him from killing Claudius.

Although Hamlet.s circumstances prohibit him from avenge, and despite Hamlet.s decisive character, some may argue that he may lack the traits of a king. Claudius sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern inquire why Hamlet is unhappy, and Hamlet answers that, .Denmark.s a prison. (2.2.236). Therefore, he is unhappy. Clearly, it seems that anyone who would view their own kingdom as a prison would not be a good king or leader of the people, whom he believes, imprison him. Hamlet then is in Court where Polonius and Claudius eavesdrop on him, and hear as Hamlet questions his existence, wondering .To be, or not to be. (3.1.156). A king must be a strong leader seemingly unlike Hamlet–a man .without strength of nerves. (Bradley, 63), or he will wilt in the turmoil that confronts his nation. Hamlet later is at Ophelia.s grave with Horatio and notes .the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier. (5.1.119-120), after the gravedigger is insolent towards Hamlet. It may appear that Hamlet has an arrogant disregard for the poor. A king must represent all of his subjects, not merely the rich and the aristocrats. Hamlet.s actions may portray him as a potentially bad king. He, however, actually would prove to do well given the throne.

Hamlet.s kingly character is evident in his proper, calculated, intelligent and fair actions to avenge his father.

Furthermore, after Hamlet decides to act mad, he seeks out Ophelia with .his stockings fouled/…as…/loosed out of hell. (2.2.