Perfectionism In Hamlet Essay

When Perfectionism Leads to Tragedy Sometimes, when people are asked to complete a deed, they are unable to do so until they are able to find an ideal set of circumstances. Shakespeare explores this very issue in his play Hamlet, Hamlet is a young man whose been asked to do something; however, Hamlet delays carrying out this deed, causing there to have been many discussions over the centuries on why Hamlet delays, but some theories are more prevalent than others. Hamlet vows to avenge his fathers death at the hands of Claudius; however, he procrastinates throughout the play and does not seek revenge until the end, when Hamlet finally acts by his instincts, and kills his fathers murderer. Hamlet is stopped in seeking revenge by a number of

Many believe that Hamlet does not take immediate action because Hamlet 's character is one of contemplation and unhappiness; not action. Because of these traits, Hamlet needs evidence and assurance that Claudius really has killed Old Hamlet. Hamlet 's philosophical nature allows him to question the Ghost 's existence and collect evidence before acting which delays Claudius ' death. Hamlet 's initial response is to trust the Ghost and act quickly when he says that “from the table of [his] memory [he will] wipe away all trivial fond records,/ And [the ghosts] commandment all alone shall live within the book and volume of [his] brain” (Shakespeare 1.5.100-106). Hamlet is clearly comfortable with the situation. However, he later is filled with doubt and whether “The spirit that [he has] seen may be the devil, and the devil hath power t 'assume a pleasing shape. Yea, and perhaps Out of [his] weakness and my melancholy, As [the Ghost] is very potent with such spirits, abuses [him] to damn [him]” (2.2.561-567). It is shown that the Prince is concerned to whether he should believe what he is being told, or if it is possible that it is the Devil and he may be taking advantage of Hamlets weakness. The play which Hamlet wishes to be performed is one involving a murder similar to that which the ghost described, and he decided that "The play 's the thing wherein I 'll catch the

As any noble son would, Hamlet wants to kill Claudius in his fathers honour. Meaning that his ideal method of murder is one that is worse than what is done onto his father. He is planning to kill Claudius “When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage, or in th 'incestuous pleasure of his bed, At game a-swearing, or about some act That has no relish of salvation in ’t— Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven, and that his soul may be as damned and black as hell, whereto it goes” (3.3.87-96). Hamlet stops himself from approaching Claudius when he remembers that Claudius killed Hamlet Senior without giving the King an opportunity to confess his sins. To assure revenge, Hamlet decides to wait until he can catch his uncle in sin and unprepared for death. His obsession with finding the perfect moment is a huge distraction from what he is really meant to do. What are the odds that he is ever going to experience a truly perfect moment, especially, in this situation? Truth is, not very