How Does Hamlet Kill Claudius
Lauren Lugo
English 12
Mr. Smith
12 January 2010 The Hamlet Question For a man to get avenge on his father’s murderer takes much strength and courage, but not necessarily time. In the tragedy, Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Hamlet waits five acts to kill his father’s murderer, Claudius. Critics have come up with two types of reasons for the long delay, one reason being internal and the other external. The internal reasons being, Hamlet was too weak, he thought too much, and he was too religious. The external reasons being Claudius was heavily guarded and he was not sure if the ghost that gave him the orders to kill Claudius was actually his father. Every critic explains his view thoroughly. Herman Ulrici believes that Hamlet delays killing Claudius because he is too religious. Characteristically speaking Hamlet is a philosophical being, he is very capable in succeeding in his revenge but his religious views stop him from doing so. “Even though the King were trebly a fratricide, [someone who kills their own brother or sister] in a …show more content…
To prove this Goethe describes the events taking place before the “pep talk.” His weakness could have been brought on by the fact that his father had died suddenly and soon after his mother marrying his uncle. “ Goethe’s portrayal of Hamlet as a “lovely, pure, noble, and highly moral being who lacks the hero’s strength to avenge his father’s murder.” (Goethe 91) Shakespeare gave Hamlet this “great duty” because he knew that since he has such a faulty characteristic, it would take a great deal and will power to overcome it. “The time is out of joint---O cursed spite, That ever I was born to set it right!” (Shakespeare 1.5.210-211) Hamlet curses that fact that he has to go through with his father’s ghost’s request because he does not think he has potential to do
English 12
Mr. Smith
12 January 2010 The Hamlet Question For a man to get avenge on his father’s murderer takes much strength and courage, but not necessarily time. In the tragedy, Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Hamlet waits five acts to kill his father’s murderer, Claudius. Critics have come up with two types of reasons for the long delay, one reason being internal and the other external. The internal reasons being, Hamlet was too weak, he thought too much, and he was too religious. The external reasons being Claudius was heavily guarded and he was not sure if the ghost that gave him the orders to kill Claudius was actually his father. Every critic explains his view thoroughly. Herman Ulrici believes that Hamlet delays killing Claudius because he is too religious. Characteristically speaking Hamlet is a philosophical being, he is very capable in succeeding in his revenge but his religious views stop him from doing so. “Even though the King were trebly a fratricide, [someone who kills their own brother or sister] in a …show more content…
To prove this Goethe describes the events taking place before the “pep talk.” His weakness could have been brought on by the fact that his father had died suddenly and soon after his mother marrying his uncle. “ Goethe’s portrayal of Hamlet as a “lovely, pure, noble, and highly moral being who lacks the hero’s strength to avenge his father’s murder.” (Goethe 91) Shakespeare gave Hamlet this “great duty” because he knew that since he has such a faulty characteristic, it would take a great deal and will power to overcome it. “The time is out of joint---O cursed spite, That ever I was born to set it right!” (Shakespeare 1.5.210-211) Hamlet curses that fact that he has to go through with his father’s ghost’s request because he does not think he has potential to do