Topic > Free Hamlet Essays - Hamlet's Character Free Hamlet Essays - Hamlet's Character In Hamlet's speech in the third act, scene three, Hamlet reveals to us many facets of his character, aspects that so far we have only been able to see as fragments in other speeches . He turns out to be an overly analytical man who often procrastinates. It also shows that he doesn't really want to kill Claudio, but feels obligated to do so out of a sense of duty to his dead father. Hamlet demonstrates his overly analytical nature in line seventy-three of the speech when he says “This would be scanned:,” meaning he should examine his situation more closely. Instead of simply killing Claudio while he has the chance, he overanalyzes and ultimately decides to postpone killing Claudio, losing the best chance he will get in the show. Hamlet is also a procrastinator and this is demonstrated many times in the play. In line eighty he says “Why, this is hiring and pay, not revenge.” He knows he has to kill Claudio but he puts it off. This almost suggests that Hamlet doesn't really want to kill Claudius, but feels obligated to do so. Through his excessive analysis he almost seems to convince himself to give up his job. One of Hamlet's most famous traits is his excessive analysis of conversation topics and situations in which action is needed. An example of his overly analytical nature is evident in his speech in Act One, Scene Four, Line 13. He begins his speech quite normally, responding with a simple answer to Horace's question, but then his thoughts begin to wander and start analyzing. and philosophize on topics unrelated to Horace's question. Another characteristic of Hamlet is the way he procrastinates. For example, in Act Two, Scene Two, Line 603, he becomes convinced that his plan to add sixteen lines to the play and watch Claudius' reaction, rather than complete his task, is the best plan of action. Although he ultimately postpones killing Claudius, starting in line 570 he acknowledges his inaction. This also shows that Hamlet does not really want to kill the king and will do anything to postpone his duty. Indeed, Hamlet reveals his reluctance to kill Claudius early in the play. In act one, scene five, line 189, he says "O cursed spite, / That I was ever born to set things right!", which means he is angry because he is now in the position of having to kill the king and he is sorry that he was born with this fate.
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