Hamlet is a man of high estate, Denmark's next king, who is both loyal and noble, he is a tragic hero, doomed to a terrible fate. In the name of honor, Hamlet procrastinates his father's death; attempts to protect the women in his life; and duels Laertes for the sake of nobility. Consequently nobility is Hamlets tragic flaw, which results in his death and many others. Hamlet contributes to his downfall through procrastination. By virtue Hamlet is forced to avenge his father's death, who was murdered by Claudius. Hamlet must kill Claudius to free his father's soul from purgatory. However Hamlet is reluctant and decides he will get actors to re-enact the murder of his father, then wait to see Claudius' reaction. Hamlet has already been assured of the fact that Claudius killed his father, yet Hamlet is lollygagging, "The play's the thing: Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King" [Shakespeare, II, ii: L.601].
David Garrick in Hamlet, I, 4
English: Henry Fuseli - Hamlet and his father's Gh...
Book signing and Hamlet Au's interview with Julian...Hamlet waits for reassurance that he has already received from his father's spirit. Another example where Hamlet procrastinates the death of Claudius, is when he is about to take the king's life, yet he manages to find another excuse, he states; Now might I do it pat, now he is praying; And now I'll do't: 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 sent To heaven. [III, iii: L.74] Hamlet could have killed the King there and then, but he decided to wait. Some may argue he waited because he believes Claudius will go to heaven if he were killed at that particular moment, as he was in the midst of prayer. Conversely it is believed that Hamlet backed down. Hamlet states;...