Hamlets Idealism Essay - 847 Words

Hamlets Idealism Hamlet is many things: scholar, speaker, actor, and prince. His greatness shows in all of activities, save one: his inability to act. Hamlet is not able to avenge his fathers death without considerable delay. There is a flaw in Hamlets character that causes him to postpone the murder of Claudius - this flaw is Hamlets idealism. While idealism is normally a good trait, in this case, because of the unusual circumstances, Hamlets idealism causes great conflicts within him. He was gifted with a great mind which he uses extensively. Hamlet believes that things should be inherently good, and that peoples motives should be fair. Consequently, he has a great deal of difficulty in coming to terms with†¦show more content†¦Hence, his morals guide him to be absolutely sure of his uncles guilt, and not have a hasty, emotionally based reaction. Another main reason for Hamlets delay once again has to do with his morals and idealism. Because he possesses such a strong mind, he can find many possible causes and effects for everyday affairs. When dealing with affairs far from ordinary, such as his fathers murder, ... the native hue of resolution is sicklied oer with the pale cast of thought... (Act III sc i). I suggest also that perhaps Hamlet is not able to truly understand peoples evil motives, due to his own idealistic nature. It would follow, then, that he would have great difficulty in committing an act of such brutal violence himself. The action which Hamlet has been commanded by the ghost to undertake goes against Hamlet in a very basic, fundamental way. The fact that Hamlet is a thinking as well as a feeling person, conscious of the good and bad points in every step he takes, makes the act of revenge particularly painful for him. Revenge is not Christian, and Hamlet is a Christian Prince; it is not rational, and Hamlet is a philosopher; it is not gentle, and Hamlet is a gentlemen (Boklund 113). In the end, however, it is not Hamlets sense of right and wrong that charges him to vengeance; rather, his uncles death occurs in a heat of passion. While he does recognize thatShow MoreRelatedEssay about Hamlets Fatal Flaw786 Words   |  4 PagesHamlets fatal flaw is his inability to act. Unlike his father, Hamlet lets his intelligence rather than his heroism govern him. When he has a chance to kill Claudius, and take vengeance for his fathers murder, he hesitates, reckoning that if he kills the man while he is at prayer, Claudius would have asked for pardon from the Lord and been forgiven of his sins, therefore allowing him to enter Heaven. Hamlet decides to wait for a better opening. 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