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Recommended: Hamlet character development

One character in particular in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is very intelligent. One of the reasons Hamlet is so smart is because Hamlet does not kill Claudius right away, instead he waits until he is sinning. Secondly because he tricks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, saving himself. Finally because he makes sure Claudius is guilty of old Hamlets death, by putting on a play about his father’s death. Obviously Hamlet is the most intelligent character in Hamlet.

Hamlet is the most intelligent because he knows not to kill Claudius right away because he is praying, and instead waits until he is sinning. Hamlet does not let Claudius know that he is there, but he gives examples of a better time to kill Claudius, “When he is drunk asleep or in his rage” (III. iii.90). This quote lets us know that Hamlet is not going to let Claudius know he is there, which is a smart move on Hamlets part because he keeps the element of surprise. Also because Hamlets listing off ways that he could kill Claudius, this shows his intelligence because he is thinking things through, and coming up with plans; he is not just going on a whim. Hamlet is just about to kill Claudius when he changes his mind, “No, Up, sword; and know thou more horrid hent” (III. iii. 88-9) This shows Hamlets intelligence because he knows that if he kills him know, Claudius will get to go to Heaven, plus if he lets him die now Claudius will not have to deal with his own guilt. This is only one example of Hamlets genius.

Another thing Hamlet does that shows he is the most quick-witted character in the play Hamlet is deceiving Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and getting himself away from the situation, and therefore his own death. When Hamlet is explaining to Horatio how he avoided the k...

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...mission at hand. Hamlet also says to the actors, “Nor do not saw the air too much with your hand” (III. ii. 4-5). This and any more explanations are smart to give to the actors because it helps them to know how they are to come across, making the play seem more real, this way they have a better chance of getting a reaction out of Claudius. Overall Hamlet is quite the insightful character.

In the play Hamlet, the main character Hamlet is the brightest for numerous reasons. For one Hamlet does not kill Claudius right away, instead he waits for a better moment. Also he tricks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and escapes his death. Finally because he makes sure Claudius is guilty by having actors putting on a play about his father’s death, and then having Horatio measure Claudius’s guilt. Due to these facts, Hamlet is the most intelligent character in Hamlet by far.

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