Preview

Hamlet Murder Quotes

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
424 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Hamlet Murder Quotes
While Hamlet delays in killing Claudius, it is not because he is incapable of murder. To the contrary, his callousness is displayed when he brutally stabs Polonius hidden behind the arras and “when he deliberately, and even craftily, with complete unscrupulousness of a prince” (Freud 86) orders the deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet shows no remorse for the murders. Prior to the fencing match, Hamlet describes the murder of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to Horatio, stating: Why, man, they did make love to this employ- Ment. They are not near my conscience; their defeat Does by their own insinuation grow. ‘Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes Between the pass and fell incensed points Of mighty opposites. (Hamlet.5.2.56-62)
This quote shows …show more content…
Based on these examples, Hamlet’s demeanor allowed him to easily kill multiple people without regard or remorse and thus he should not have hesitated in killing Claudius, a person who killed his Father and married his Mother. However, this is not the case, despite his promises to get his revenge “with wings as swift as meditation or the thoughts of love” (Hamlet.1.5.29-30). This same idea was mentioned by Sigmund Freud in “The Interpretation of Dreams” when he states “The plot of the drama, however, shows us that Hamlet is by no means intended to appear as a character wholly incapable of action… What is it, then, that inhibits him in accomplishing the task which his father's ghost has laid upon him?” (Freud, page 86). Additionally, Jones noted that “there is every reason to believe that, apart from the task in question, Hamlet is a man capable of very decisive action” (Jones 77). These quotes further support my opinions that Hamlet acts decisively when it comes to taking the lives of others, as such, he hesitance to kill Claudius must related to a deeper
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Hamlet's Struggle and Disillusionment
    • 1139 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Hamlet's Struggle and Disillusionment

    Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, can be seen as one about duty, in particular Hamlet's struggle with his duty to his father and the possible consequences involved. Hamlet's duty is revealed when he speaks with the ghost of his father who commands Hamlet to "revenge his foul and most unnatural murder." The appearance of the supernatural and the suggestion of a "most unnatural murder" also presents the idea of corruption as it portrays the idea of death against the natural order. Hamlet clearly struggles with this command from his father's ghost, as avenging his father's death would mean that Hamlet himself would have to murder not just another person, but his uncle CLaudius, the new king of Denmark. Therefore, Hamlet struggles to take immediate action but instead he tells the ghost, "with wings as swift as meditation or the thoughts of love may sweep to my revenge." This simile suggests that Hamlet is eager to seek revenge quickly, however his response is paradoxical as "meditation" and "thoughts of love" suggest that he may have to think about the task ahead of him first. This highlights Hamlet's struggle with his duty as while he wants to avenge his father's death, he is also unsure and so cannot…

    • 1139 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Contrast Between Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras
    • 1027 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Contrast Between Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras

    Hamlet seems to be the one who lets things dwell in his mind before taking any action or making an attempt at trying to get on with his life. After the death of his father he becomes depressed and gradually becomes enraged with his mother's immediate marriage to his uncle Claudius. He was lead to believe his father died of natural cause but he became aware of the murderer when his father's ghost appeared to him. When Hamlet learns the truth of his father's murder, he cries, but promises action, though he delivers none. He says "Haste me to know't, that I, with wings as swift as meditation or the thoughts of love, may sweep to my revenge." (Act 1, Sc. 5, 29-31). At the end of the scene he says "The time is out of joint: O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right!" (Act 1, Sc. 5, 188-189). This shows that he is no longer in such a rush to avenge his father's death by killing his uncle Claudius.…

    • 1027 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Ethics of Hamlet
    • 546 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Ethics of Hamlet

    Likewise, in Hamlet's second soliloquy, Hamlet's inability to kill Claudius demonstrates that Hamlet is not only a contemplative person, but also a cautious individual that excessively analyzes situations. At this point, Hamlet has concluded to carry out an act of vengeance. He has convinced himself that he is justified to kill Claudius, the murderer of his father, but certain obstacles stand in his way. In one scene, Hamlet finds Claudius alone, praying, but decides not to kill him just then because of…

    • 546 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Flaws
    • 629 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Hamlet Flaws

    Hamlet’s decisiveness ruins his life. He has the best chance to kill Claudius, but his hesitation just let Claudius go from Hamlet’s hand. “That would be scann'd: A villain kills my father; and for that, I, his…

    • 629 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Did Hamlet Kill Claudius
    • 872 Words
    • 4 Pages

    How Did Hamlet Kill Claudius

    Hamlet was brought up as a prince, a noble born, embedded with sweetness. Showered with love and provided with whatever necessary for a prince… He was out studying and not being involved in politics of Denmark or even being involved with the series of war King Hamlet has being fighting. He embodies a full course of human emotion, ranging from grief, love, anger, rage, and passion to fear and insanity. Ultimately, Hamlet has no interest in becoming the king rather his concern is to avenge his father’s death which he could not fulfill because his character does not show someone who is capable of murder, apart from this, there were various factors that contributed to Hamlet’s delay in seeking revenge against Claudius.…

    • 872 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Insanity Essay Example
    • 632 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Hamlet Insanity Essay Example

    Hamlet clearly demonstrates how insane he is after killing Polonius and showing no remorse for his death. Right before Hamlet entered the chamber to talk to his mother, Polonius explains to the queen that he will be hiding and ease dropping on their conversation, to find out the real reason for Hamlet erratic behavior. Hamlet enters the chamber, on a rampage after finding Claudius guilty of killing his father and also seeing him trying to pray. Hamlet goes off on his mother when she says, “Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended” (l. 10). That also triggered his anger to the point where the queen feared for her life and as told to do so, she yelled for help. Polonius tries to come out from behind the curtain and before you know it, he was stabbed by Hamlet. At this point, after he stabbed Polonius, killing him, Hamlet first thought it was Claudius that was hiding behind the curtain. Later finding out it was Claudius, Hamlet says, “A bloody dead-- almost as bad, good mother, as killing a king, and marry with his brother” (l. 27-28). You would think that Hamlet would be scared for his life after realizing he killed someone. Not Hamlet, he just continues on with his conversation with the queen about how crazy it is that she remarried so soon. Hamlet showing no remorse for killing someone shows that he is not mental stable and doesn’t realize what just happened.…

    • 632 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Cites
    • 813 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Hamlet Cites

    I think there is a misplaced speech in Hamlet which has resulted in much unnecessary confusion. You'll remember that in Act I Hamlet meets his father's ghost, who tells his son that he was murdered by Claudius. Hamlet is full of resolve to do the right thing, but he makes no attempt to kill Claudius until Act III, Scene IV. (That attempt is frustrated when he mistakenly believes Claudius is praying.)…

    • 813 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Essay On Free Will In Hamlet
    • 1409 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Essay On Free Will In Hamlet

    However, Hamlet incapable of doing it and proceed to what according to Ghost told him to (Javed 332). This is an identity crisis for Hamlet, as he does not know whether he is acting upon his free will or upon the Ghost words. Killing Claudius is what the Ghost wanted. However, Hamlet is confused whether he want to Claudius or not, hence the delay in his actions. ”Hamlet is too delicate or too subtle for the purpose. A less self-questioning hero would have been a better instrument” (Javed…

    • 1409 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Hamlet Famous Speech
    • 102 Words
    • 1 Page

    Hamlet Famous Speech

    "To be, or not to be? That is the question-." One of Shakespeare's most remembered and famous quotes. This speech can be read in act 3, scene 1 of Hamlet. Hamlet recites this famous speech as he is strolling into one of the castle rooms, right before he speaks to Ophelia. Many people believe it has no significance to the play at all. This could be one reason as to why it is so famous. It could also be in part of the topic he is speaking of. Either way, the speech not only demands readers attention, but piques their interest…

    • 102 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Literature Is the Question Minus the Answer
    • 609 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Literature Is the Question Minus the Answer

    One of the major themes in Hamlet is the reason behind his delay for revenge. Throughout the play, the prince of Denmark is presented with many opportunities to kill his father's murderer Claudius but there was always something holding him back. There are different theories of why Hamlet may find it difficult to execute the ghost’s request. It could be said that Hamlet fears the consequence of killing a king, which at that time was considered a mortal sin, or he simply didn't want to hurt his mother Gertrude by killing her new lover, or as some may think, he is too sensitive a soul to be able to commit an act of violence. By carefully reviewing the play, the readers may find yet another, more believable explanation such as that Hamlet is simply over thinking the situation and his indecision is causing him to miss all these opportunities for revenge. In Act III Scene I he himself gives voice to this theory by saying: “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all.” His intelligence may truly be the cause of his inability to act and defend his family’s honor. The first clue of this is Hamlet’s doubt of the true intensions of the ghost. In order to assure himself that the ghost’s story is true, the prince plots a…

    • 609 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Madness Analysis
    • 682 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Hamlet Madness Analysis

    After talking to his father’s ghost, the prince swears revenge against his uncle/new father for murdering his biological father. The ghost even tells him not to harm anyone else, and that Claudius was the only one who needed to die. Even though the ghost directly told prince Hamlet not to hurt other people, Hamlet kills Polonius. “How now! A rat” (3.4.22). Even if Hamlet thought Polonius was Claudius, a sane person would check behind the arras to be sure it was Claudius. Also, Prince Hamlet kills Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. When he realizes Claudius’ letter to England is to have him killed, Hamlet changes it to say “Without debatement further, more or less, he should the bearers put to sudden death, not shriving time allowed” (5.2.48-50). Although Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were helping Claudius against Hamlet, both servants were completely out of the picture (sailing to England). Also, both servants were only following the king’s orders (who most likely would have killed them if they refused to help). No sane person would go out of their way to kill people completely out of the…

    • 682 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Hamlet the Sentimental Dreamer
    • 1589 Words
    • 7 Pages

    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 well. The central question of why Hamlet let so much time elapse before he took revenge against Claudius is frequently disputed by critics and as a result, many theories have been developed. H.N. Hudson, a respected Shakespearean critic, quoted, “It is easy to invent with plausibility almost any theory respecting Hamlet, but very hard to make any theory comprehend the whole subject.” After reading Hamlet, H.N. Hudson’s assertion can be disproved. The theory that best supports Hamlet’s reason of delay, in my perspective, is the theory that Hamlet is a sentimental dreamer. This theory disproves Hudson’s assertion of that there is no theory that comprehends the entire subject because throughout the play there are many events where Hamlet is more a dreamer than a man of action. Hamlet is a sentimental dreamer because words are more of his natural weapon as he too often deliberated his vindictive plans. By over-analyzing, Hamlet loses power to his actions, therefore delaying his act of revenge.…

    • 1589 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Meaning Of Dreams In Hamlet
    • 474 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Meaning Of Dreams In Hamlet

    At the point when Hamlet was composed, dream conveyed much the same importance as it does today. The essential and most truly reliable meaning of dream is "a train of considerations, pictures, or fancies going through the brain amid rest... A dream of the extravagant willfully or deliberately enjoyed when wakeful (esp. as being stunning or sit without moving) (OED, second ed., s.v. "dream," 1a, 2). The meanings of the word pass on a feeling of the fantastical or unbelievable – Hamlet says "a fantasy itself is however a shadow," underlining the dubiousness of a fantasy (II, ii, 261).…

    • 474 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Indecisiveness in Hamlet
    • 854 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Indecisiveness in Hamlet

    The largest key to Hamlet's hesitation to take action was his need to find definitive evidence of Claudius's guilt and expose him for what he did. Hamlet continuously doubted himself and whether or not the action that he wanted to take was justifiable. It is not until act three until Hamlet is able to prove that Claudius is guilty. However, while his guilt is obvious to him he is unable to present anything to the people. He wants the murder of the King to be perfect. Claudius has to go to hell. The people have to know about the murderer Claudius. Hamlet spent too much time planning and not enough acting, thus making the King's murder more complicated than it needed to be. After the play Hamlet has the proof he was seeking and still cannot act.…

    • 854 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Is Hamlet Losing His Mind
    • 711 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Is Hamlet Losing His Mind

    Claudius has no idea Hamlet is there and the prince thinks of this as an advantage to him, this is where he plans to kill the King. Lost in thought, Hamlet decides that if he does kill Claudius he does not want it to be in a confession booth, he says “Now might I do it pat, now he is praying, And now I'll do 't. [He draws his sword.] And so he goes to heaven And so am I revenged. That would be scann'd: A villain kills my father, and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send To heaven.”(iii iii 186) Many Hamlet scholars think that Hamlet is scared to kill Claudius and the only reason he even thinks of this is because the ghost of his father tells him too. This decision that Hamlet makes prolongs the death and gives him more time to think, this in the end is not a good decision for the young prince and keeps the play very suspenseful. During the time after this part in the play Hamlet is talking to his mother in her room, he hears a noise and thinks it is the king so without thinking he rushes to the curtain and begins to stab what he thinks is Claudius ese dropping on their conversation. The mysterious noise in the curtain turns out to be Polonius, Hamlet then becomes a murderer and uses this accident to his advantage against the…

    • 711 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics