Hamlet Themes

Hamlet Themes

The Dangers of Indecision

The Dangers of Indecision is the narrative's primary theme and the issue at the core of both the main narrative line and the journey of transformation undertaken by the central character, Hamlet, a journey that simultaneously both motivates and defines that narrative. The thoughtful and introspective prince is given a mission by the Ghost of his murdered father and, at first, fully intends to complete it. But as time passes and circumstances conspire to trigger in Hamlet more thought (his natural inclination) than action, his inability to follow through on his purpose leads to moral self-corruption, to the point where, as previously discussed, he behaves as badly and destructively as those whose behavior he initially condemns. Eventually, inaction and indecision also lead to a physical destruction that echoes the moral destruction that has gone before.

It could be argued that taking impulsive action is just as self-destructive. Characters who...
(read more)