I believe Hamlets hesitation was more towards the purpose of killing Claudius in that moment than killing him at all. In my opinion, Hamlet wasn't questioning if he should take action in killing him, but how he would. He vowed to take revenge for the murder of is father, but during Hamlets monologue he elaborated as to how he wanted it done. Instead of lurking in the shadows, and surprising Claudius, he would want it done dramatically and validated. The reason for Polonious dying is because Hamlet played off of the intensity and drama in the room from his mother. Having Polonious also hiding behind the curtain, sneaking around, made Hamlet think it was his uncle and caused him to take action. I find it hypocritical because Hamlet did exactly what Claudius did to him to Ophelia. Hamlet tried so hard to convince everyone he was crazy, but hurt himself because he is now behaving as if hes really gone insane.
I believe Hamlet was right in waiting. If he killed his uncle secretly, I don't believe people would have believed that Claudius killed his father. Also it would just cause more people to think he was crazy and they would have continued to blame it on his love for Ophelia. Killing him while many key characters are around would give Hamlet the chance to expose his father and prove his sanity while he can.
To me, Hamlets sanity is the most on stake. His questioning to take action or not, is more so directed towards picking the right moment to prove he was the one most sane and most logical the whole time. Picking the wrong moment would result in the disappointment from his father and from himself, having him seen as completely insane, and being seen as a liar.
Your blog is really good Abby. I like how you have a lot of detail and evidence from the story. I agree when you said that Hamlet wasn't question whether or not to do it but instead how to do it.
ReplyDelete