Hamlet seems to have been a procrastinator and overly scared and cautious. It's been several weeks since Hamlet saw the ghost of his father, and as of yet he still has yet to inquire if what the ghost told him was true, he is finally now putting a plan into place, feeling guilty over his lack of action and calling himself a coward. I doubt Hamlet does have doubts over whether Claudius is guilty, he is using this excuse to put off his murder of Claudius, Hamlet knows he must kill his uncle to avenge his father and clear his own consceince, but he is not built to be a killer and hates the idea of murdering another human being.
Hamlet seems to be fairly introverted, cautius and thoughtful, a man of words rather that action. His feined madness seems to have absolutely no use in finding the truth of the murder or in avenging his father, but it gives Hamlet something to focus on, rather than his ominous task in hand, and is a way to cover up his own emotional turmoil. However i do not think the appearance of the ghost has actually made Hamlet go mad, when speaking to the main actor and to Rosencratz and Guildensternz he seems fairly fluent and sharp, perhaps this madness is a way of not showing his hatred towards Claudius, to a lesser extent his mother and also the state of Denmark and world, his outward appearance of madness covers up his real feelings and emotions which could reveal themselves outwardly should Hamlet not put on a act.
Hamlet's feelings towards Ophelia are not clear. While Polonius reveals a letter from Hamlet to Ophelia showing his affection for her Hamlet may just
Good comments. Do you think it's Shakespeare's intention to make his thoughts for Ophelia unclear? if so, why? Is his basic tragic problem that he is not a man of action?
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