There are many reasons why Hamlet might delay his revenge. Perhaps he is wrestling with the idea of killing Claudius, his own uncle. Maybe he is unsure whether or not Claudius is actually responsible for his father’s death. It could also be that Hamlet is simply afraid of retribution from Claudius if he were to take his revenge. No matter the reason, Hamlet’s delay in revenging his father’s death is a key plot point in Shakespeare’s play.
Hamlet is not immediately carried out for thinking about why he asked. It’s a great question. To begin with, Hamlet must ensure that the ghost is a good spirit or a father figure, and that his tale is true.
Furthermore, Hamlet is a thinker. He has to consider all possible consequences of his vendetta. What will happen if he kills Claudius? Will he end up like his father, murdered with blood on his hands and filled with sin? Finally, Hamlet must acquire additional proof to support the claim that Claudius killed his father by poisoning him. Because we know that individuals are often accused without sufficient evidence in those days, Hamlet will need enough proof to back it up so that others do not accuse him as a murderer.
Hamlet’s delay in seeking revenge for his father’s murder is caused by a number of factors. First, he must be sure that the ghost is actually his father’s spirit, and not a malevolent spirit attempting to deceive him. Second, Hamlet is a thinker; he pauses to reflect on the potential consequences of taking revenge.
What if he kills Claudius and then suffers the same fate as his father, dying with blood on his hands? Finally, Hamlet needs evidence to prove that Claudius was the one who murdered his father by poisoning him. In those times, people were easily accused of murder without sufficient evidence. If Hamlet is going to take revenge on Claudius, he needs enough proof to back it up so that he won’t be accused of murder himself.
Hamlet’s delay in seeking revenge for his father’s murder is caused by a number of factors. First, he must be sure that the ghost is actually his father’s spirit, and not a malevolent spirit attempting to deceive him. Second, Hamlet is a thinker; he pauses to reflect on the potential consequences of taking revenge.
What if he kills Claudius and then suffers the same fate as his father, dying with blood on his hands? Finally, Hamlet needs evidence to prove that Claudius was the one who murdered his father by poisoning him. In those times, people were easily accused of murder without sufficient evidence.
Hamlet was astonished when his father died and his mother remarried her uncle, so he began to ruminate on the murder after seeing the ghost. This makes him doubtful as to how to act and what is the finest approach to wreak revenge.
He also has a conflict within himself, as he is torn between his religious beliefs (which tell him that revenge is wrong) and his desire for justice. He wants to take revenge, but he doesn’t want to sin. This internal conflict further delays his actions.
Hamlet also lacks confidence in himself and his abilities, which leads him to procrastinate taking any action. He is afraid of failure and even contemplates suicide at one point.
All these factors contribute to why Hamlet delays taking revenge on Claudius for most of the play. He is only able to take action at the very end, when he finally overcomes his hesitations and reservations.
Hamlet asks his buddy Horatio to watch his uncle’s reaction when confronted with proof that the ghost’s tale is true and that vengeance is justifiable. He says, addressing the audience, “When I am gone,” lines 73-77, pg 63
“And gone” he says to Horatio, and then asks him to remember this night so that the events may be retold accurately. Hamlet’s request emphasizes his concern with how others will perceive his actions.
When Hamlet finally does take his revenge, he does so in a way that reflects his preoccupation with issues of morality and perception. He arranges for his uncle to be killed while seated on his throne in front of all the courtiers, thus ensuring that everyone will know of Claudius’s guilt. In addition, by killing Claudius while he is praying, Hamlet ensures that his uncle will go to hell for his crimes.
While some may see Hamlet’s delay in taking revenge as a weakness, it can also be seen as a reflection of his concern with doing what is morally right. By taking the time to plan his revenge, Hamlet ensures that Claudius will receive the punishment he deserves.
Hamlet’s delay in revenging his father’s murder can also be seen as a result of his indecision about whether or not to take action. Throughout the play, Hamlet oscillates between thoughts of suicide and thoughts of revenge, never quite sure which course of action to take. This inner turmoil reflects the larger theme of Hamlet’s uncertainty about whether or not to believe in ghosts and whether or not to take action against his uncle.
It is this uncertainty that ultimately leads to Hamlet’s downfall. By the time he finally takes his revenge, Hamlet has lost the love of his life, Ophelia, and has been banished from Denmark. These events could have been avoided if Hamlet had made a decision sooner about what course of action to take.
Hamlet is unsure whether or not Claudius murdered his father, and since he is the king and cannot be judged, Claudius appears untouchable. Hamlet posed the question and discovered that his father would be avenged if he killed Claudius as revenge for his murder of Polonius. He organized a play in the castle to ensure that Claudius murdered his father by watching how his uncle reacted, which he stood up shakily before him showing Hamlet that he was the murderer of his father.
Claudius wanted to get rid of Hamlet, and he had him sent away. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern betrayed Hamlet and took him to England where they were supposed to kill him. Instead, Hamlet killed them both and escaped back to Denmark.
Now that Hamlet has concrete proof that Claudius murdered his father, he is ready to take his revenge. He wants to kill Claudius but he is unsure when the right time is. He knows that if he kills Claudius while he is praying, then Claudius will go to heaven. Hamlet does not want this because he believes that Claudius deserves to go to hell for his crimes.
In conclusion, Hamlet’s delay in revenging his father’s murder can be seen as a reflection of his preoccupation with moral issues and his uncertainty about whether or not to take action. While some may see this as a weakness, it can also be seen as a reflection of Hamlet’s concern with doing what is right.