Ethical Issues In Hamlet

How do we handle problems that come up in life? Most of us would say that we take our time when deciding on how to handle a problem. Others would say they act rashly, or that they are unable to act. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Prince Hamlet faces many problems during the play. While solving these problems, Hamlet shows that he is unable to act. Without the ability to make decisions, Hamlet struggles to avenge his murdered father, show his true love for Ophelia, and decide if suicide is a better solution. Firstly, Hamlet struggles to avenge his murdered father. One of the major themes in Hamlet is revenge. The reader sees that Hamlet is eager for revenge during Hamlet’s conversation with the Ghost when Hamlet states, “Haste me to know
While some say that Hamlet never loved Ophelia, the proof that Hamlet truly loves Ophelia surpasses the proof that he does not. Hamlet tells Ophelia, “I did love you once.” (pg.55). In this conversation, Hamlet tells Ophelia how he once loved her, but then he tells her that he never did love her. Hamlet acts this way towards Ophelia because he knew that her father was spying on them. Hamlet asks Ophelia, “Where is your father…Let the doors be shut upon him, that he may play the fool nowhere but in’s own home.” (pg.55). Hamlet knows Polonius is watching him, so Hamlet acts like he is crazy, and that he does not love Ophelia when actually does. The reader sees Hamlet’s true love for Ophelia in a letter in which he says, “But never doubt I love… But that I love thee best.” (pg.37) The audience sees Hamlet in his true self-telling Ophelia he loves her. Hamlet even professes his love for Ophelia when it is too late. Hamlet proclaims, “I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers could not, with all their quantity of love, make up my sum.” (pg.108). Hamlet tells everyone how much he loves her, even though it is too late. Hamlet’s inability to show Ophelia that he loved her could have saved her from going