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 with no 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 shown when he has the chance to kill Claudius while he’s praying. Hamlet uses this excuse to justify the 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 Hamlets fathers ghost?
This character has no doubts about the morality of his actions, as he takes the throne after murdering his brother.
Who is Claudius?
In this struggle, Hamlet faces his own death, after realizing he can no longer avoid it.
What is the duel with Laertes?
Hamlet does this to figure out if Claudius has killed his father.
What is a play?
Why did Hamlet show Claudius a play of a murder?
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 revenge 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 the justice he seeks. This is one of his greatest struggles in the play.
What uncertainty of the moral consequences?
In Hamlet, what causes Hamlet to hesitate before avenging his father's murder?
What is overthinking/indecision
This refers to being true to oneself in the face of pressure from others, 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 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?
This character holds onto the burden of avenging his father while questioning what is the point of life.
Who is Hamlet?
These two characters are loyal to the crown and are sent to spy on their friend Hamlet. Who are they?
Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
Hamlet debates whether it is better to endure suffering in life or end it with this.
What is suicide?
This character’s madness shows her struggle with identity and the meaning of her existence.
Who is Ophelia?
Hamlet’s hesitation to kill Claudius is a perfect example of this, where he worries that he can’t trust his own feelings.
What is self deception?
Hamlet hates his mother’s quick remarriage to Claudius, which makes him think that life is full of this.
What is corruption
Hamlet compares himself to this other character, seeing him as someone who acted decisively and swiftly, which shows Hamlet’s own inaction.
Who is Fortinbras?