?Inaction is cowardice, but there can be no scholar without the heroic mind.? In Shakespeare?s timeless play Hamlet, Hamlet has a variable state of mind throughout the course of the play. At the beginning of the play Hamlet sees the ghost of his father for the first time, at this point he is shocked and appalled to discover that his uncle Claudius murdered his father. This brings Hamlet to the conclusion that he is going to act mad until he gets revenge on Claudius. There are also times in the play when Hamlet openly admits that he has felt truly unstable with his mind. Because Hamlet is only clear and logical at times, his words and actions are never entirely coherent and unified which in turn leads him to almost always be in a state of inaction. There are many examples of things said in the play by Hamlet himself that show he feels sane at times, as well, there are examples of times when Hamlet admits that he does not feel completely sane.
David Garrick in Hamlet, I, 4
Book signing and Hamlet Au's interview with Julian...
HamletBesides showing a wavering state of mind through the words spoken by Hamlet, it is also seen through the actions and inactions that he takes throughout the play.
After Hamlet discovers that his uncle, who is the new king, murdered Hamlet?s father he feels that in order to get revenge that he must act insane until the right moment comes to act. There are many times when Hamlet truly is sane and is merely playing the part of a mad man. Almost immediately after Hamlet finishes speaking with the ghost of his father for the first time he decides that he is going to pretend to be mad. In speaking to his best friend, Horatio, Hamlet reveals his plan, ?As I chance...