Hamlet Waiting So Long Analysis

Perhaps the most argued and criticized aspect of Shakespeare’s Hamlet is why Hamlet waits until it is too late to avenge his father’s death. However, after reading Hamlet, I think it is fair to ask not just why Hamlet waited too long, but whether or not Hamlet waited too long at all. In fact, I find Hamlet’s train of thought throughout the play to be quite agreeable and I sympathize with his situation. I argue that Hamlet made the correct decision in waiting to act to avenge his father’s death.

In order to examine whether or not Hamlet waited too long to act, it is still crucial to examine why he waited so long, in order to gain a better understanding of his actions and the results of his actions. Hamlet’s main motivation throughout the play seems not to be the death of his father or even his father’s apparition visiting him. The main force behind Hamlet’s thoughts and actions in the play is his mother’s marriage to Claudius. In his soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 2 where he laments the death of his father, he points out his mother’s hasty marriage to Claudius as a major source of his sorrow

A little month, or ere those shows were old

With which she followed my poor father’s body

Like Nioble, all tears, why she-

O God, a beast that wants discourse of reason

Would have mourned longer!-married with my uncle (I.II.148-152)

The main focus of Hamlet’s distress in these lines is the speed at which the Queen acts- only a month after King Hamlet was killed. Most moving perhaps, is Hamlet’s remark that a “beast” would have mourned longer before marrying again. These lines establish what could very well be the reason for Hamlet delaying his vengeance: he comes to fear haste. He is disgusted that his mother hastily acts to marry Claud...

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...le there will always be many critics who argue that Hamlet waited too long to take revenge, the violence was, as Laertes points out, King Claudius’ doing. The actions of Claudius -and the Queen as well- establish an inevitable violent conflict that will take place no matter what; when it takes place is not of paramount importance. It is worth noting however, that throughout the play, when characters act with great haste, great misfortunate follows. For Hamlet, he resists stooping to the level of his mother was far too quick to marry Claudius. Instead, Hamlet plans his actions against Claudius, and in doing so proves himself noble and earns the forgiveness of Laertes. The destruction at the end of the play was the fault of Claudius. The exchange of forgiveness between Laertes and Hamlet – a glimmer of hope and reconciliation amidst the destruction, is Hamlet’s doing.