Hamlet #7

In this section of Hamlet, Hamlet is influenced by Fortinbras' army to make a move on revenge for Claudius. In his soliloquy, he says, "I do not know/ Why yet I live to say “This thing’s to do,”/ Sith I have cause and will and strength and means/ To do ’t. Examples gross as earth exhort me" (IV.iv.46-49). Here, Hamlet blatantly states that he has the willpower and the motivation to avenge his father, and that it is rather obvious. However, it is evident that throughout the beginning of the play, Hamlet has been putting off the murder of Claudius. In the second scene of act three, Hamlet states that he has the proof needed to murder Claudius and the passion to commit such an act. However, he goes to see Gertrude instead. Although Hamlet claims to have the means necessary to avenge his father, he keeps putting it off, perhaps showing that he is somewhat of a coward.