Life and Death
Hamlet famously wonders about the meaning of this in the famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy.
What is life?
This character is a foil to Hamlet, acting swiftly and without hesitation to avenge his own father’s death.
Who is Fortinbras?
Hamlet constantly questions whether he should act on his desire for revenge, showing this feeling that prevents him from making decisions.
What is doubt?
Hamlet’s inability to act is most evident when he has the chance to kill Claudius while he’s praying. This is the excuse Hamlet uses to justify his delay.
What is that Claudius might go to heaven if killed while praying?
Hamlet struggles with his identity, wondering if he is truly capable of doing this, especially given weight of the action
What is avenging his father?
Hamlet is haunted by this after the death of his father.
What is the ghost?
This character appears to have no doubts about the morality of his actions, as he quickly takes the throne after murdering his brother.
Who is Claudius?
In the final scene, Hamlet faces his own mortality in this way, after realizing he can no longer avoid it.
What is the duel with Laertes?
At the end of Act 3, Hamlet again hesitates to kill Claudius because he fears this may happen—leading him to question the purpose of his revenge.
What is Claudius being saved through prayer?
Hamlet’s use of a play within a play to reveal Claudius’s guilt reflects his desire to do this, rather than trust his own feelings or instincts.
What is prove the truth?
Hamlet’s final act, he is poisoned in a duel, what can be seen as his acceptance of this existential reality.
What is death?
This character is obsessed with action and is not bothered by the consequences, contrasting with Hamlet’s hesitation.
Who is Laertes?
Hamlet delays avenging his father’s death because he fears that this will not bring about the justice he seeks. This is one of his greatest struggles in the play.
What is the uncertainty of the moral consequences?
Throughout the play, Hamlet criticizes the people around him for pretending to be something they are not, which is linked to this word.
What is hypocrisy?
This existential concept refers to the challenge of being true to oneself in the face of societal pressures, something Hamlet struggles with throughout the play.
What is authenticity?
In Act 5, Hamlet holds this person’s skull and reflects on death, realizing that everyone, no matter their status, ends up the same.
Who is Yorick?
This character represents the practical side of Hamlet’s existential struggle, advising Hamlet to act based on self-interest.
Who is Polonius?
Throughout the play, Hamlet is torn between his desire to do what is right and the fear that acting will have these.
What are negative consequences?
Hamlet is disgusted by his mother’s quick remarriage to Claudius, which contributes to his view that life is full of this.
What is corruption
Hamlet is often confused about who he is and what his purpose is. He expresses this doubt in his questioning of his role in life, asking: "Am I a ____?"
What is a coward?
Hamlet debates whether it is better to endure suffering in life or end it with this.
What is suicide?
Ophelia’s tragic end can be seen as an expression of this existential theme, where she is unable to cope with her confusion and grief.
What is existential despair?
Hamlet’s hesitation to kill Claudius is a perfect example of this, where he worries that he can’t trust his own feelings or instincts.
What is self-deception?
Hamlet feels that Denmark is full of deceit and corruption, describing it as this in his first soliloquy.
What is an unweeded garden?
Hamlet famously compares himself to this other character, seeing him as someone who acted decisively and swiftly, which shows Hamlet’s own inaction.
Who is Fortinbras?