Ms. Pollock
Shakespeare
November 13, 2015
Admiration of Hamlet
Throughout the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Hamlet possesses many complex traits that help to mold his character. Three specific traits that I find admirable of Hamlet are his loyalty, idea of justice, and intellect. I admire Hamlet’s values of loyalty idea of justice, and intelligence because these are traits that help shape Hamlet’s actions throughout the play. Hamlet’s loyalty and honor towards his father’s ghost, Fortinbras, and his mother Gertrude are what I admire the greatly in regards to Hamlet. This is because his honor and loyalty are what force Hamlet to make vital actions. Hamlet was telling his father’s ghost of how he will listen to his commands …show more content…
Hamlet said that he would listen to his father’s commands to kill King Claudius in order to honor his murdered father. His value of loyalty to his father shapes how he acts throughout the play as he eventually kills the antagonist of the play King Claudius. He again proves his loyalty when he is tells Horatio his dying wish of giving the throne to Fortinbras. He says, “But I do prophesy th’ election lights / on Fortinbras; he has my dying voice”(5.2.392-393). Hamlet proves his loyalty to Fortinbras, as he shows that after everything that has happened throughout the kingdom, he still wants the crown to go to someone worthy. Hamlets value of loyalty influences his actions because he eventually gives his blessing to Fortinbras to be a good ruler instead of someone else. Hamlet goes on to tell his mother that he remains loyal to her, considering she is his mother. He tells her, “You are the queen, your husband’s brother’s wife, And… / you are my mother” (3.4.20-21). Hamlet reveals to Gertrude that even though she committed a terrible sin of killing his father, that no matter what she is his mother and he will stay loyal to her. His loyalty to his mother leads to Hamlet acting …show more content…
Hamlet’s ideas of justice and revenge are what lead to him making influential actions. Hamlet is told by King Hamlet’s ghost that he must avenge his death and murder King Claudius. Hamlet responds by saying, “As meditation or the thoughts of love, / may sweep to my revenge” (1.5.36-37). Hamlet’s value of justice is exemplified in his desire to kill the king Claudius. He understands that in order to make justice, he must obey his father’s ghosts’ wishes. Hamlet goes on to say, “The time is out of joint… / that ever I was born to set it right!” (1.5.210-211). Hamlet understands that the reason he was born was to avenge his father’s death. Hamlets value of justice influences his actions later in the play. He will eventually kill King Claudius because he values justice so highly, and realizes that he was born to do this task. Hamlet portrays his values of revenge and justice again when he walks in on King Claudius praying. He says, “And am I then revenged / to take him in the purging of his soul / when he is fit and seasoned for his passage? No.” (3.3.89-91). Hamlet is debating whether or not to kill Claudius is this time of vulnerability, as he wants to avenge his father’s death. Although, Hamlet decides not to kill Claudius at this point because he understands that if he killed him now, he would go to heaven. Hamlet’s value of justice is shown, as he believes that if he killed Claudius at