Is Hamlet A Contemplative Man Essay

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In the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare is able to show how Hamlet is a contemplative man rather than a man of action when it comes to the element of revenge throughout the play. Shakespeare is able to show this through the essential literary technique of soliloquies. Hamlet is bound to strike revenge against his uncle Claudius, for murdering his father and marrying his mother (Shakespeare 57). Hamlet is given opportunities to strike revenge against Claudius yet cannot come to do so: “ O, what a rogue and peasant slave...Must like a whore, unpack my heart with words...I’ll catch the conscience of the King,” (Shakespeare 117-119). In this soliloquy Hamlet is yelling at himself for not taking action and prolonging events. He calls himself a whore for thinking rather than doing. Hamlet wishes to catch the King’s conscience yet contemplates doing so because then he has become what he wishes to punish. Hamlet’s lack of revengeful action shows how he is a contemplative man rather than a man of action. Hamlet is so…show more content…
My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth,” (Shakespeare 203-205). Hamlet does not know why he hasn’t acted yet. He has everything to do it (cause, will, strength). He then goes onto say that his thoughts are worth nothing if they are not thoughts of revenge. This emphasizes how angry Hamlet is with himself for prolonging revenge. Also, this emphasizes how much value Hamlets contemplativeness is. Hamlet has prolonged revenge since the beginning of the play and has only thought. Hamlet’s life this play has been thought. For Hamlet to go say his thoughts are worthless if they are not of revenge from then on is saying Hamlet is worthless is revenge is not acted upon. Hamlet realizes he needs to start acting without

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