Hamlet

            Hamlet is a tragedy about a man that can't make up his mind.
             "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark" edited by Alfred Harbage is truly one of the classic examples of a tragedy. Throughout the play, we notice that Hamlet procrastinate about avenging for his father's death. Whenever he gains opportunity to kill Claudius, he does not act instantly and seems to be lost in thoughts instead, but why? There are a number of reasons for Hamlet's procrastination. First of all, Hamlet was not sure if the ghost of his father was real or not. Secondly, his character's personality, which is that he thought too much before he undertakes his action. Lastly, because he did not want Claudius to repent his sins and wanted to make sure Claudius suffered after he died. In brief, Hamlet knew he needed to perform his revenge, but his calm sense and personality made him delay his actions. .
             Hamlet is a tragedy and it is about revenge, but doesn't seem to fit neatly into the category of "revenge tragedy". Unlike most conventional revengers, Hamlet does not obsessively pursue vengeance. He delays it and seems to be sidetracked by all kinds of doubts and distractions that come into his path. Like all revenge plays, Hamlet consists of a character who is killed, someone who is responsible for the killing and an avenger to slay the killer. The revenge is seen as a positive act which will restore the moral order of society that has been temporarily disturbed.
             An Elizabethan audience would of being alarmed to Hamlet's quick acceptance to the Ghost's command to pursue vengeance. As personal revenge during Shakespeare's time was forbidden both by the state and the Church, which held that either the law or God would punish the wrong doers. In addition, the Church defined revenge as a sin, and cursed revengers to suffer for eternity. So Hamlet, seeking for revenge was trapped in a dilemma. There could be no justice from the state, because the murderer himself was now king.