Hamlet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 5

Hamlet - Essay Example Hamlet feigns insanity to discover the truth, but his character can still be ascertained by closely examining what he reveals about himself through his many speeches and his interactions with others. The fact that he survives until very near the end of the play demonstrates his strength of character while his insane ramblings to some of the other characters reveal his sharp mind. While many have pointed to his lack of immediate action upon learning of the true nature of his father’s death as a sign of weakness, the reasons for Hamlet’s inaction are demonstrated as an intelligent man’s determination to do what’s right. Throughout much of the play, Hamlet’s speeches can be seen to indicate more than one aspect of his character, such as in the Player’s speech (Shakespeare II, ii). This scene has been interpreted as Hamlet trying to remind himself of the need for revenge, trying to prove the need for revenge or trying to stir himself into the action of revenge due to the nature of the play he suggests (Westlund, 1978). At the same time, it shows Hamlet’s tendency to approach life as if it were a play, constantly taking on new roles to fit the action he is confronted with. In his comparison of the roles available to him in this instance, he can be seen to relish neither one. His sense of duty and honor, while it prevents him from willingly taking on the role of a murderer, also prevents him from allowing a foul, underhanded murder go, not only unpunished, but richly rewarded should the ghost happen to be the true spirit of his father. â€Å"One part of him says that he must take revenge, another part finds it horrible; he attempts to reconcile these conflicting feelings by saying that he fears the Ghost may be a devil† (Westlund, 1978: 252). At this point, he can not find a role that allows him to both enact the revenge demanded and retain his own