Monday, March 2, 2009
Hesitation
Hamlet's inability to act, and his over hastiness, has dire consequences for every character in the play, and indeed gives this "tragedy" its obsession with death. If he had been able to kill Claudius when he was at prayer, Polonius would not have been killed, Ophelia wouldn't have been driven insane, and Laertes and Hamlet would not have killed each other. But instead, unlike Fortinbras, he finds himself a man of thought rather than action, which as Shakespeare believes what makes us human, rather than animal, and the product of an intelligent man. He finds himself unable to commit the many dirty plans that he has quickly laid out for Claudius to fall upon, but when given multiple chances, he fails to act. I am a person of action, often rashly and impulsivly, though usually preceeded by some thought, I know that opportunity goes away at the drop of a coin. Yes, when someone makes a choice, they close many other doors, but if you wait, all of your options go away, and you are forced to do something that you didn't conceive of before.
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8 comments:
Never thought of it that way. So, do you think it's better to plan ahead or act spontaneously?
Connor,
I agree with you, but then don't agree with you, but mostly agree. I feel that there is a need in life to act with a sense of urgency and not hesitate. However, I do feel that it is also essential to plan actions before executing them. Without careful planning things can go vastly off-course. There does come a time when you either have to act or not act however. If you don't act, unexpected obstacles may come up but that's just what's up with life.
Connor:
I agree with you that Shakespeare demonstrates a lot of hesitation in his play, Hamlet, but do you think there is a reason for this hesitation? Could there be some rhyme or reason to his "obsession" with death? You talk thoroughly about how Shakespeare exemplifies his obsession with death, but you have really expounded on it with your thoughts. Think about this, could make for a great essay topic.
Do you believe that if Hamlet had killed Cladius when he was in prayer that Cladius would have gone to heaven? Therefore, Hamlet's plot to will him would not be worth while. Was it better for Hamlet to wait, even though it resulted in many other deaths. Killing his father while not in prayer would make it easier for the fathers sins to be shown to God. What are your thoughts on this?
Is it possible to think while you act? Yes you can act hastily, and yes you can think things out and miss the opportunity. But then why can't you have a mix of both? This is definitely not what Hamlet does, of course. When he tries to "act with a sense of urgency" (according to Walk), he ends up killing the wrong dude. Further proof to show that Hamlet himself is wasted space.
I agree with you that Hamlet's hesitation is in essence the main core of the tragedy that this play becomes. However I think this is definitely an integral part of Shakespeare's plans, he wanted Hamlet to be seen as a hesitant academic, a student of the mind not of the body, (possible connection in that he's such an excellent duelist?) Sarah also makes a good point about having a mix of the two, something that Hamlet, and people in general don't seem capable of. However it's time to find a passage about which you could center your essay, probably the one in which Hamlet sees Fortinbras army.
connor u have some good points... but if hamlet were to handel him while he was in prayer the bad ass ending wouldnt have happened. It was a well developed book and i think everything happened how it should have... what would u change? how would it change everything else?
Walker,
"The best plans fall apart with first contact with the enemy." No matter how well the plans are laid, something will go wrong 9 out of 10 times, so yes, I agree with Sarah that it is possible to think while you are acting, and indeed it seems that that is exactly what Hamlet is doing.
Erin,
I don't believe in heaven or god, so I think that it would have been better to act instead of hesitating - it could have saved his life.
Kirk,
I agree with your comments, but a little less hesitation would behoove him.
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