Hamlet 15
Hamlet 15Reasons Hamlet Delays his Revenge
Hamlet as a play and as a person has been analyzed for centuries. One of the main ideas focused upon in this story is why Hamlet delays so long in getting his revenge on Claudius for killing his father. There have been many ideas and many theories for Hamlet's behavior, but there is probably a plethora of factors that influence Hamlet. Hamlet's thoughts about the ghost, his Uncle, and his mother, may have all led to his delay.
The first reason for the delay may be that Hamlet was not completely sure that Claudius had killed his father. The ghost who claims to be Hamlet's father and has some unfinished business on earth asks for Hamlet to revenge his death. The reason that Hamlet is not sure whether or not the ghost is telling the truth is that he feels the ghost may be the devil. This idea is portrayed when Hamlet says, "The spirit that I have seen may be a devil, and the devil hath power t' assume a pleasing shape." (I.ii. 611-612) Hamlet is wondering if this is a ghost from heaven or a ghost from hell. No one wants to go to hell, so Hamlet must make sure that he is doing what is right. He does not want to be influenced by the devil in any way. The Christian thoughts of the time stated that vengeance was a sin. Hamlet wants to avenge his father's death but if he were to kill Claudius his soul may not be saved. Hamlet wants to be a better person than his Uncle, but if he were to become a murderer he would be just like Claudius.
One more place in this play that focuses on the Christian influence is in Claudius's bedroom. Hamlet argues with himself that he cannot kill Claudius at the end of Act III scene iii. Hamlet surmises that if he killed Claudius while praying he would be sent to heaven. "A villain kills my father, and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villian send to heaven." (III.iii., 76-78) Hamlet would much rather send Claudius to hell for his crimes, but can anyone go to hell when they are killed while praying. Therefore to kill his Uncle at this point would be pointless. Hamlet wants him to suffer for everything that he has done wrong to the family.
When the ghost of his father tells Hamlet that he was murdered by the person who "now holds his crown," (I.v., 39) Hamlet would like to revenge that death by killing his Uncle Claudius. Hamlet is also upset with his Uncle for marrying his mother only two months after his father's death. Hamlet thinks a lot, almost too much. In this instance his mind rambles on and he has thoughts that his mother...
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