Is Hamlet Reasonable?

Hamlet Is Hamlet reasonable?: Murder and death in "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare In the play "Hamlet," playwright William Shakespeare portrayed the character of Prince Hamlet as a trusting individual who later changed to become a vengeful man when he learned that his stepfather had murdered King Hamlet, his father. Considered a classic tragedy, "Hamlet" highlights the metamorphosis of Hamlet from being an indecisive leader of the kingdom to being a vengeful, wise, and ultimately, reasonable individual.

This change in character had occurred towards the climax of the play, wherein it was revealed to him through the ghost of Old Hamlet who the real murderer of his father was. In the course of metamorphosis, Hamlet is already portrayed as a reasonable individual. Despite Shakespeare's apparent infusion of an emotional being in Hamlet's character, his was a character that was initially molded from a leader's rational personality, then later into being an emotional, feeling individual.

This was manifested in Act 3, Scene 3 of the play, wherein Hamlet was supposed to kill Claudius after learning from his father's ghost that he (Claudius) had murdered Old Hamlet. Following is an excerpt of Hamlet's contemplation on whether to kill Claudius or not after witnessing his stepfather praying just before Hamlet intended to kill him: Now might I do it pat, now he is praying; And now I'll do't. And so he goes to heaven; And so am I revenged.

That would be scann'd: A villain kills my father; and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send To heaven. O, this is hire and salary, not revenge. .. And am I then revenged, To take him in the purging of his soul, When he is fit and season'd for his passage? No! This passage from the play reflects the rational-mindedness of Hamlet: even a passionate action such as vengeful killing was given careful consideration.

Hamlet's concern was not so much about the consequences that his commitment of murder would have on him, but about the eventual fate of Claudius when he dies repenting from his sins. This issue was far more important to him, for to allow his stepfather to die with repentance would only further infuriate not only Hamlet, but Old Hamlet's ghost and his fate in purgatory as well.

Hamlet's reasonable character was seen when he realized that his decision to murder Claudius must be done with careful analysis -- that, in order to fully avenge his father, Hamlet must ensure that Claudius' death was done with reason and purpose. In effect, his hesitation to kill his stepfather immediately after saying his prayer led to significant consequences that led to the occurrence to the real tragedy in the play: the death of Hamlet, as well as Claudius and Hamlet's lover, Ophelia.

Inevitably, the role of Hamlet as a future leader for their kingdom had inculcated in him the need to think rationally. Though his character was highly emotional, which was especially evident in the early.