[Reed analyzes not only Hamlet's internal meditations on his hesitation to exact revenge on Claudius. but also various external obstacles which prevent him from killing the king. According to the critic. Hamlet's misgivings about the Ghost are perhaps the chief impediment to his taking revenge. noting that the prince almost immediately questions its identity and motives. Hamlet is therefore reluctant to act upon its demands. Furthermore. once Claudius's guilt is established, Hamlet refrains from killing him at prayer because the king is in an act if repentance and his soul might go to heaven. Because such external obstacles hinder Hamlet from taking his revenge. Reed asserts, he vents his frustration injurious self reproaches throughout the play. The critic provides apsychoanalytic analysis if Hamlet's self-castigation, deducing that the prince relies on self-incrimination to soothe his irrational mood.....
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