Is Hamlet's Nature largely responsible for his difficulties?

Essay by jhackHigh School, 11th gradeA-, April 2003

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William Shakespeare has shown how Hamlet's nature was largely responsible for his difficulties. The three main traits that are responsible for his difficulties are Hamlet's tendency to think to much, his impulsiveness, and his stubbornness. Although two of these traits do contradict each other, Hamlet is able to show each one, specifically, in different scenes of the play. This clash of traits makes Hamlet a very complex character, and causes Hamlet many problems.

Hamlet's indecisive nature, combined with him thinking to much to over thinking at crucial turning point in the play. Hamlet refrains from making decisions himself, and often relies on another loyal friend or some factual evidence before acting. When Hamlet has the opportunity to kill King Claudius, neither the conversation with the ghost, nor the evidence from the play about the murder of King Claudius, gives Hamlet enough information to overcome his tendency to think to much.

First, it is necessary to understand what evidence Hamlet had about who killed his father; then it is possible to understand how Hamlet's nature rather than his situation is largely responsible for his difficulties.

The first piece of evidence is during the conversation Hamlet has with his father's ghost. During the conversation, the ghost tells Hamlet that Claudius is responsible for his murder. "The serpent that did sting thy father's life / Now wears the crown." (I, v, 39-40) However, as the play continues, Hamlet begins to doubt the validity of the ghost's statement. Hamlet feels as though another form of information would be necessary to be certain of his father's murderer and thinks that a "play's the thing / Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king." (II, ii, 603-4)

The second clue of King Hamlet's murderer happened during the "play within a play" scene, or...