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Was Hamlet's Hesitation To Kill Claudius Justified

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Was Hamlet's Hesitation To Kill Claudius Justified
Hamlet 's Hesitation is Justified

In William Shakespeare 's Hamlet, Hamlet is commanded by his father 's ghost to avenge his murder at the hands of his uncle Claudius. Hamlet does not act immediately to get his revenge, even when he is presented the perfect opportunity to do so. Throughout the play, it is demonstrated that the young prince 's hesitation is reasonable. He doubts the story that the ghost has told him and he wants to discover the truth before he acts. He is not a man of action and it is in the nature of his character that he hesitates. Moreover, he wants to get a perfect revenge so that Claudius will be truly punished. In the play, Hamlet 's hesitation is justified because his morality prevents him from doing evil, his intellect causes him to think before acting, and his practical nature leads him to plan for a perfect revenge.

Hamlet is …show more content…
( 3, 1, 124-127)

Hamlet gives a lot of thoughts to his actions, and it is consistent with his character. When Hamlet kills Polonius, it happens in a moment of passion, and it is spontaneous. He normally has to think everything through before he acts. It is his character and he should not be blamed for hesitating. Hamlet 's intellect pushes him to be a thoughtful person and therefore, his hesitation is excusable.

Hamlet 's thoughts are practical and he desires a perfect revenge, which rationalizes his hesitation. In one critical episode, where Hamlet is observing the king at prayer, Hamlet 's practical nature is shown. Hamlet does not want to kill Claudius at prayer because if he does, he will send him directly to heaven. This is a fate that Claudius had not permitted King Hamlet. Hamlet decides to wait until Claudius is sinning.

When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage,

Or in the incestuous pleasure of his bed,

At gaming, swearing, or about some
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