Hamlet Procrastination Quotes Analysis

One of Aristotle’s Five Rules for Tragedy state that the main character should possess a tragic flaw, something in his character which causes his downfall. In William Shakespeare’s tragic play, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, the main character’s tragic flaw is procrastination. There are four major quotes in the play that supports the argument that Hamlet’s tragic flaw is procrastination.
The first major quote that suggests Hamlet’s flaw of procrastination is, “Haste me to know’t; that I, with wings as swift/ As meditation or the thoughts of love,/ May sweep to my revenge” (Hamlet, Act I: Scene v, 29-31). This quote is spoken by Hamlet to the Ghost of Hamlet’s father. Hamlet is alone with the Ghost who tells Hamlet about and revenge

for the first time. Hamlet’s immediate reaction is to know the murderer to get revenge quickly. This quote is important for Aristotle’s second rule for tragedies is that the main character possesses a tragic flaw. Hamlet says he wants to get revenge quickly but delays for two months to be insane first.
The second major quote that suggests Hamlet’s flaw of procrastination is, “How strange or odd soe’er I bear myself,/ As I perchance hereafter shall think meet/ To put an antic disposition on” (Act I: Scene v, 171-173).

This quote is spoken by Hamlet to Horatio and the watchman. Hamlet warns Horatio that he is going to behave oddly. Hamlet’s actions do not match his passion. Hamlet makes his friends to swear an oath to not to tell anyone about his encounter with the ghost, no matter how he behaves. This quote is important to prove that Hamlet’s tragic flaw is procrastination. Hamlet speaks passionately about getting his revenge quickly, but then decides to act insanity, which delays his revenge for two

months.
The third major quote that suggests Hamlet’s flaw of procrastination is, “O, what a rouge and pleasant slave am I... The play’s the thing/ Wherenin I’ll catch the conscience of the king” (Act II: Scene ii, 545-603). Hamlet gets really passionate from the actor who cries during a speech. Hamlet screams and curses at himself for delaying his revenge, yet he proposes a play to test Claudius’ guilt. This quote further proves of Hamlet’s flaw of procrastination as he speaks passionately and yet again delays his revenge. This quote is spoken by Hamlet before his meeting with Ophelia. Hamlet speaks about suicide and wonders why more people do not commit suicide; then decides that the fear of life in hell is worse than life on Earth. He concludes that thinking about anything too much can change a person from making that decision. This quote proves that Hamlet’s tragic flaw is procrastination, because one can argue that Hamlet is speaking about himself. Thinking too much of revenge is stopping Hamlet from taking his revenge.
The fifth major and most important quote that suggests Hamlet’s tragic flaw of procrastination is, “Now might I do it pat, now he is praying;/ And now I’ll do’t: and so he goes to heaven:/ And so am I revenged.

That would be scann’d” (Act III: Scene iii, 74-76). After watching Claudius’ reaction to the play, Hamlet is convinced of Claudius’ guilt. Hamlet is on his way to Gertrude’s bedroom when he sees Claudius kneeling down. Because Claudius is kneeling, Hamlet mistakenly thinks that Claudius is praying for forgiveness and decides not to kill Claudius. This is the most important quote in the play that proves Hamlet’s tragic flaw is procrastination. One can argue that the cause of Hamlet’s downfall in the rest of the play results when he does not kill Claudius when given the perfect opportunity. The importance of the quote is extended with its dramatic irony. The audience knows that Claudius is not praying for

forgiveness.
The sixth major quote that suggests Hamlet’s tragic flaw of procrastination is, “How all occasions do inform against me,/ And spur my dull revenge... O, from this time forth,/ My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth” (Act IV: Scene iv, 31-65). Hamlet is about to leave for England when he meets the captain of Fortinbras’ army. When Hamlet hears that the soldiers are ready to die for a worthless piece of land and for their country, he gets angry at himself for not killing Claudius and not getting his revenge. This quote also proves that Hamlet’s tragic flaw is procrastination; he speaks passionately about getting his revenge and yet delays by going on a voyage to England.
Ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle defines a ‘tragic’ hero to be a character with a flaw that in personality, will lead that character into actions that will end in disaster. In The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, by William Shakespeare, Prince Hamlet, the main character, has one flaw that brings him to his death. Hamlet often analyzes his situations carefully which causes him to procrastinate. This delay in judgement allows Claudius to escape Hamlet’s revenge. Hamlet’s tragic flaw is procrastination.