hamlet overview

Hamlet is a play revolving principally on the subject of inaction, the thesis being that inaction is negative action. Some may perhaps debate that it is a tragedy about love, however such an arguement is a fallacy most erroneous in nature. In the beggining Hamlet is quite disconsolate over the untimely passing of his father. In his state of discontent he is confronted by the ghost of his father, bestowing upon him such wisdom as to know the form of death that was his fathers demise. Subsequent to the discoverment of knowledge as abominable as such, young Hamlet is enraged, filled with the desire to have his uncles' life extinguished by his very hand. Hamlet is in such a downward spiral of depression that he contemplates the termination of his own existence executed by himself. All is for naught however, for he killn't himself upon the concievment of the idea that death may be less well than life, but he cannot know, for none who have died have lived to tell the tale. The play will later portray Hamlet seated bilaterally to Claudius, in Branaghs' moving picture rendition it is set in a confessional booth common in the catholic church. It would seem as though the hour is at stake for Hamlet to extract his revenge. With his Rapier in hand Hamlet contemplates the invasion of claudius' ear with his rapier, however takes no such action on the grounds that Claudius is praying and will then ascend to heaven if he dies at this particular time. Another portrayal of the inaction taken by Hamlet. This compilation of such inactions leads to the ending scene in which every main character has killed another and now they are all dying. Hamlets counter part Fortinbras rages through the door with his army. Fortinbras is a symbol in this book for assertive action.