How Is Hamlet Indecisive

In the timeless play Hamlet by Shakespeare, one man’s apparent madness impacts not only his fate but also the lives of those around him. Hamlet, enlightened by a ghostly figure, devises a scheme of revenge on his uncle King Claudius. Consequently, Hamlet’s flaw of indecisiveness causes him to blur the lines between sanity and insanity as he is unable to make important decisions while unfolding his need for vengeance. Ultimately, his irrational madness embodies Hamlet’s high intelligence and ability to think one step ahead of others. Immediately after questioning Claudius’s involvement in his father’s death, Hamlet creates a plan to act crazy in the presence of others in order to find justice. Putting “an antic disposition on” (67), Hamlet knew, would involve the breaking of relationships to those close to him in order to truly seem mad. Beginning with this girlfriend Ophelia, Hamlet convinces the court of his initial craziness when he ridiculously makes a scene “As if he had been loosed out of hell/ To speak of horrors” (79). Consequently upsetting the girl and confusing Polonius and the King, this performance initially plants the idea of his questionable disposition in the minds of those at court. In addition, Hamlet’s rash flaw of indecisiveness creates trouble when he is unable to …show more content…
With his cunning perception, his act of seeming mad essentially allows any dangerous action of his to be overlooked and passed off. Likewise, Hamlet’s indecisiveness is beneficial because it shows his true morality and honest judgement he holds for his enemies. Asking himself if he is fit “To take him in the purging of his soul/ When he is fit and seasoned for his passage?” (169), Hamlet struggles with the guilt he would receive from killing Claudius even after he repents for his sins. Hamlet’s supposed insanity primarily conveys his vast intellect and strong