Action Vs Inaction In Hamlet

Action versus inaction are represented in Hamlet and Laertes that demonstrates the conflict between the two opposing forces. This theme shows how two characters have a similar goal – to punish the murderer of their father. However, they achieve them in different ways due to the type of characters they are. First of all, Hamlet wants vengeance for his father’s death. He knew who the killer was, however, he kept overthinking his actions and continued to change his plans. Thus, it took him the whole play to get what he wanted. However, because of his procrastination, he does not kill his father’s murderer, Claudius, as he wants to in the beginning of the play.The two quotes to represent this are: “Contagion to this world. Now could I drink hot blood/And do such bitter business as the day/Would quake …show more content…
Thus, when he finds out that Claudius really did kill his father (since he becomes upset while the murder of Gonzago was playing), he decides to kill Claudius to get vengeance for his father. What these two quotes represent is that Hamlet has a lack of action, letting him achieve his goal after a while rather than right away due to him continually questioning his thoughts/ actions and procrastinating all his plans. Secondly, Laertes wants the killer of his father to be killed. The difference between him and Hamlet is that he is straightforward and does exactly what he wants. What this means is that instead of procrastinating, he decides he wants to kill Hamlet and plans to do that right away. He is successful, eventually. After Claudius says the following (stating that they will kill Hamlet) “Under the which he shall not choose but fall / And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe / But even his mother shall uncharge the practise” (4.7.63-65), Laertes replies with the following “My lord, I will be ruled / The rather if you could devise it so / That I might be the organ” (4.7.67-69).Laertes is upset/angry that his father was killed. He wants the killer to be