Hamlet. This paper deals with Hamlet and the revenge vs suicide problem

Hamlet

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It is said that it is every actor's dream to play Hamlet, and Hamlet quotes have become household words which crop up in the most diverse contexts. Both critics and psychia trists have felt tempted to probe into the depths of this enigmatic Shakespeare character. For Hamlet is a man who has got an extraordinary problem: it is incredibly difficult for him to get a hold of himself and revenge the killing of his father by killing his murderer - even though it is expected of him to demand an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

In the first act we witness the father's ghost haunting Hamlet and telling him that he has been murdered by his treasonable brother, who poured poison into his ear while he was sleeping peacefully in his garden. Subsequently his murderer succeeded in taking over his victim's throne by marrying the sexy queen dowager.

David Garrick in Hamlet, I, 4

Book signing and Hamlet Au's interview with Julian...

Hamlet

Thus, there is enough to revenge: anyhow, a fratricide is a disgusting crime. Coupled with a sexual relationship that by the ethics of the time was considered as incest. But worst of all: it is a regicide, which to an Elizabethan was outright sacrilege.

Though Hamlet is fully aware that it is his task to clear things up, he keeps on procrasti nating and has got many excuses for not acting.

The explanations are valid, and the only peculiar fact is that Hamlet has got so many reasons for waiting - a different one each time. Furthermore, it is characteristic in Hamlet that he only receives problems when he at last seizes the sword. He is convinced that he has nailed his villainous uncle Claudius, when he kills a person who is spying on him while he is talking seriously to his mother.