The Theme of Procrastination and Its Consequences in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”

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The Theme of Procrastination and Its Consequences in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”

Introduction

The comeuppance Hamlet plans is executed too late. If it were not for his uncertainty, he could have prevented all the unnecessary deaths that occurred if only he had killed Claudius sooner. As a consequence of his procrastination, Hamlet unintentionally kills Polonius; Ophelia goes mad due to Polonius’s death and drowns; Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are sentenced to their deaths by Hamlet; and Gertrude drinks from a poisonous cup, intended to be drunk by Hamlet, who is also killed by Laertes in his seeking for revenge for the deaths of Polonius and Ophelia.

Body

Procrastination and its Toll on Characters

Directly related to the theme of certainty is the theme of action. How is it possible to take reasonable, effective, purposeful action? The question at hand in Hamlet is how one acts as he/she is affected by not only the rational considerations (i.e., the need for certainty) but also by the emotional, ethical, and psychological implications. Hamlet portrays an attitude of distrust toward the idea that it can be even remotely possible to act in a purposeful and controlled manner.

When he takes action, he would rather do so blindly and with recklessness (authentic). Other characters clearly think far less about their action in the abstract in comparison. As a result, they are less troubled about the possibility of acting effectively. Instead, they act as they feel is appropriate for the particular situation and environment (moral relativism). The progression of the play proves that Hamlet is the one in the right mindset, as all of their actions fall through.

Claudius obtains for himself a queen and a crown through his actions but finds himself tormented by his conscience, and he is perplexed by threats to his authority.
Laertes dedicates himself entirely to the cause of revenge but becomes easily manipulated into assisting Claudius’s objectives.

Certainty, Action, and Moral Relativism

Hamlet chooses to procrastinate his vengeance as a result of his own uncertainty. He takes it upon himself to uncover the full truth about his father’s death before taking Claudius’s fate into his own hands. His first method of unveiling the truth is done through the traveling players that have found their way to Elsinore Castle. Hamlet meets with the group of actors and makes a request for a very specific play to be presented to all, including King Claudius, one that will reenact what he presumes to be the murder of his father. During the performance, it becomes evident as Claudius becomes increasingly uncomfortable. He becomes so distressed that he rushes out and demands the return of lights. This reaction heightens Hamlet’s certainty of Claudius’s guilt.

Conclusion

Following the play, Hamlet is soon presented with the perfect opportunity to exact his revenge when he encounters his uncle alone in prayer. Hamlet is aware that this is his best chance to kill Claudius. However, he does not take action as he presumes his uncle to be praying. He decides he cannot kill the king at this moment because his soul would be sent straight to heaven if he were to die in the midst of prayer. He resolves to wait to kill while Claudius is taking part in sin, whether that be him being drunk, lustful, or angry, to ensure his eternal damnation. Unfortunately for Hamlet, he was not fully aware of what the king was professing. His prayer is not sincere, as he claims he wants to fully repent for his sin of murdering his brother, but he cannot, as he is unwilling to give up both the crown and the queen.

References

“Hamlet” by William Shakespeare
“Hamlet and Revenge” by Eleanor Prosser
“Hamlet: Poem Unlimited” by Harold Bloom