In Shakespeare's "Hamlet", Hamlet, the main character, displays a very indecisive and uncertain demeanor throughout Hamlet. This recurrent behavior is displayed when: Hamlet first encounters the Ghost of his father, to learn that Hamlet's Uncle, the King, killed Hamlet's Father, also in Shakespeare's most prolific monologue of Hamlet and lastly when Hamlet stabs one of the King's confidants, Polonius. Hamlet's wavering decision making as well as his uncertainty in everything leads to Hamlet's apparent insanity; although he is not completely insane, just to a certain degree that allows him to be somewhat sane.
Hamlet first shows an uncertain and indecisive demeanor when he first converses with the Ghost of his Father. The Ghost informs Hamlet of what has really happened to his Father in regards to his death. This comes as a shock to Hamlet; even though he had a sneaking suspicion that something didn't play out right. "O, my prophetic soul! My uncle!" (p.59
David Garrick in Hamlet, I, 4
Book signing and Hamlet Au's interview with Julian...
Hamletl.48). Hamlet knew it was possible all along; this did however help to reassure it. Hamlet was uncertain all along about his Father's real death and even after confronting the Ghost he remains very indecisive as to what he should do.
Soon after, Hamlet finds himself in quite a dilemma; he is not sure whether it is pertinent to live anymore. In the conditions of his life Hamlet even demonstrates extremes of indecisiveness and uncertainty in issues as important as his own life.
"To be, or not to be: That is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The sling and arrows of outrageous fortune
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them?" (p.127 ll.64-68). Although this is probably the most Shakespearean cliché it is a wonderful example of Hamlet's quintessential questioning of his uncertainty...