The Ambiguity Of Indecision In William Shakespeare's Hamlet

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Hamlet Prompt
Hamlet by William Shakespeare remains one of the most famous and debated works of all time due to its controversial content, complex character development, and ambiguity of detail. In addition, Shakespeare makes significant statements regarding human nature throughout the play. One of these includes a statement about indecision and how it creates internal and external conflicts which resonates with contemporaries. By using Fortinbras and Laertes as foils to Hamlet, Shakespeare expresses/exposes, points to indecision as a weakness which leads to chaos, opens the door for further tragedy, chaos, mayhem, upheaval.
In a play so devoted to tortuous internal conflict, the looming specter of war can be overlooked. The play opens with soldiers on the alert for enemies. Marcellus wonders about the meaning of continuous preparations for battle. Denmark’s current political state is clarified through Marcellus and Horatio’s discussion, where Marcellus recognizes the militaristic environment and sources it to Fortinbras (XXX). Shakespeare opens the play in this manner to emph...

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