Knowing what to do – or not. Hamlet: Knowing what to do – or not.

Response to the Ghost When the Ghost first appears, Hamlet says he doesn’t know what to do with his life as he is in so much grief. “I do not set my life at a pin’s fee”

Response to the Ghost When Hamlet finds out that it is his Father’s Ghost and how he was murdered. Hamlet then swears revenge for his Father and now has a purpose. “Haste me to know’t, that I with wings as swift As meditation or the thoughts of love May sweep to my revenge”

Response to the Ghost “I’ll wipe away all trivial fond records” Here, Hamlet says that his Father’s revenge is all that he will concentrate on. Hamlet swears to avenge his Father. “ Now to my word It is ‘Aideu, aideu, remember me’ I have sworn’t”

Response to the Ghost In Act 1, Scene 5. Hamlet says: “It is an honest ghost” This contrasts to Hamlet in Act 2, Scene 2. Hamlet says: “ The spirit I have seen May be a devil, and the devil hath power T’assume a pleasing shape”

Response to the Ghost Act 3, Scene 4. Ghost tells Hamlet to hurry up and remember his promise: “Do not forget. Thus visitation Is but to what they almost blunted purpose”

Church Scene – Act 3, Scene 3 Hamlet knows that Claudius is the one who killed his father and now he has the perfect chance to exact his revenge – he doesn’t. Line 73 Hamlet: “Now might I do it pat, now’a is a praying And now I’ll do it” This is Hamlet saying that he is going to kill Claudius.

Church Scene – Act 3, Scene 3 Hamlet asks himself if he should do it. Line 87 Hamlet: “No” “With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May And how his and it stands who knows save heaven?” - Hamlet procrastinating.

Church Scene – Act 3, Scene 3 This is the part where Hamlet says he will kill Claudius while he is committing a sin, so that when he dies he goes straight to hell. Line 93: “Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven And that his soul may be damn’d and black As hell, whereto his spirit goes”

Contrast between Hamlet & Laertes Laertes contrasts greatly to Hamlet. Unlike Hamlet, Laertes knows what he wants to do from the start, he does not concern himself conscience and grace. (Hamlet does, many times..) “To hell allegiance! Vows to the blackest devil! Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit! I dare damnation” – Laertes.

Change in character - Hamlet Act 5, Scene 2. Hamlet talks to Horatio and when Orsic gives the proposal to fight Laertes. Horatio tries to convince Hamlet not to fight. Hamlet accepts, this shows he is no longer procrastinating and is facing up to his problems. “Not a whit. We defy augury. There is a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, ‘tis not to come,”