The Internal Action Of Hamlet

The Internal 'Action'; of Hamlet

Many people have emotional ups and downs, it is human nature, everybody has to go through a time of depression and happiness at one point or another. In this play, Hamlet is going through a time of depression. Many people can relate to Hamlet because everybody has struggles. In this play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, much of the action is internal. The conflict in this play is fought inside of a young prince named Hamlet. He finds out that his father was murdered and he has to decide within himself whether or not to seek revenge. Hamlet is always putting himself down for not taking action earlier. Many times Hamlet comes out with a soliloquy that puts himself down. Hamlet has many troubles, because he has thought of committing suicide. It shows in the play that many things are bothering him, because of his erratic behaviour. Many times in this play, Hamlet portrays his struggle internally, that prevents him from acting on his tasks.

Hamlet is struggling inside of himself whether the ghost was a good spirit or evil one. Hamlet debates within himself whether or not to kill Claudius and seek revenge. Because of his uncertainty Hamlet had the players put on a play to catch Claudius' reaction. Example of this is when Hamlet says

Hamlet:

The play's the thing/Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King';. [Act II, Scene ii, line 616-617]

Hamlet saw a good opportunity to run Claudius through when he was confessing his sins. Hamlet decides not to because Claudius was repenting. If he killed him Hamlet would send him to heaven and would not be damned like Hamlet's father. That is another internal struggle to delay killing Claudius. Hamlet has thought everything through before he acts. Hamlet makes sure that the things he does will not fail and that he has to do it right the first time through.

Hamlet struggles with the idea of taking his own life. It is because there are so many things bothering Hamlet. Hamlet has to seek revenge for his dead father, but Hamlet has to think and consider every factor before he follows through, because of this flaw he puts himself down for not killing Claudius earlier. Hamlet compares himself to the young Fortinbras. He says, how come Fortinbras can lead an army in to Poland to retrieve land and he cannot kill his stepfather. Both young princes don't have a father, how come Fortinbras knows what he wants to do and Hamlet does not.