Do cowardice and paralysis dominate Hamlet's character in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' ?

On the one hand, Shakespeare's characterisation of Hamlet is seen to be one of paralysis, and possessing a fragility and inability to express his feelings and thoughts, thus rendering him unsuitable to fulfil the burdened role of prince and revenger. Shakespeare channels this through the severe delay in Hamlet's actions throughout the play (i.e. killing Claudius) which enhances the theme of theatricality thereby creating an incongruency between Hamlet's solemn role and tasks, and the performative nature of the play. Hamlet's indecisiveness bestows upon him a kaleidoscopic character whereby his monologues are dramatic but also tantrum-like, and the audience begin to feel that he is a character stuck in the wrong role and play. Similarly, Hamlet fails to fulfil the role of blood-thirsty revenger because he is too emotional and there is an inconsistence between the other masculine revengers in the play, and Hamlet's internal battle with his masculinity. He is always emasculated and does not conform to the typical male behaviours of his society (chivalry, nobility, bravery); this poses a challenge to our perceptions of Hamlet as a revenge tragedy hero, because compared to the other revengers, he is weak and obsessed with female sexuality. On the other hand, Hamlet is not a coward and his existentialist soliloquies can be interpreted as his awareness and disapproval of the corruption and decay in Elsinore. Being the wiser and more philosophical figure in the play, perhaps Shakespeare is also trying to hint the notion of actions and violence having consequences, therefore Hamlet always seems to be displayig an internal battle between morality and getting justice through revenge. The role of revenger is incarcerating and demobilising since the entire kingdom depends on him but there is also a celestial connection with achieving purgatory and transcending to heaven or a peaceful afterlife. Hamlet must ensure that he fulfils his duty as a son, revenger, prince, all the while being true to himself. Therefore, he is not a coward and only exhibits mental paralysis because of the overwhelming nature of his situation.

Answered by Nathalie B. English tutor

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