In 1909, A.C. Bradley, an English literary critic, published Shakespearean Tragedy. This writing, which is regarded as the most influential Shakespearean criticism ever written, greatly described the idea of “character is destiny” in Shakespeare’s tragedies. That is, he states that all Shakespearean tragedies involve a character whose actions and deeds ultimately lead to a catastrophe, being their death. Hamlet, who faces his own demise in Act V, is infinite proof to Bradley’s theory, based on his choices and deeds throughout the play. He causes his tragic destiny through his obsession of avenging his father’s death, his passion to plan the perfect revenge, his habit of doubting and overanalyzing. The appearance of King Hamlet, in the form of a Ghost, began the obsession Hamlet struggles with. The Ghost, in Act I, scene v, demands Hamlet “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder.” (I, v, 25) Following this request, Hamlet swears to take on the task of gaining his father the respect and dignity he deserves, through the vengeance of King Hamlet’s murder by Claudius. “Now to my word. It is ‘Adieu, adieu, remember me’. I have sworn’t.” (I, v, 111-112) This evening encounter then leads to the obsessive thoughts that begin to take over Hamlet’s mind, as he decides to devote his entire willpower and occupy his mind with only thoughts of how to serve Claudius a fair punishment and death, no matter who or what is destroyed in the process. “This is most brave, That I, the son of a dear father murder’d, Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, Must like a whore unpack my heart with words And fall a-cursing like a very drab, A scullion! Fie upon’t! Foh! About, my brains.” (II, ii, 569-575) “O, from this time forth My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth.” (IV, v, 65-66) It is then seen, that as Hamlet becomes more obsessed with the idea of revenge, his character becomes passionate about not only killing Claudius, but also doing it in the perfect way,
