Hamlet's Intelligence is The Factor of His Procrastination Nature

An individual's perceived perception of what is right in a time of great turmoil may easily be interpreted as the acts of an insane person. In William Shakespeare's “Hamlet” these acts of insane person are seen through the protagonist’s actions, Hamlet, as he does what he believes is right but is seen as insane to almost all of the characters in the play. As the play progresses the reader is introduced to the character traits that lead to his spiral downfall. This being his great intellect, his indecision and his infatuation with being remembered.

The importance of Hamlet’s intelligence cannot be understated as a factor in his downfall. An example of his intellect can be seen in, “To put on antic disposition on, that you, at such times seeing me”. Through this quote we see that Hamlet is putting on a display of madness to disguise his knowledge from Claudius. This over analysis leads to his persecution by Claudius and the characters around him.Hamlet is well aware of his own intellect as seen in this excerpt “My head should be struck off”. Hamlet is aware of the fact that he is stuck in his own head, his intelligence being the factor that makes him over analyze each situation. His intelligence is a factor in all scenarios he is put, he is well aware of the possible outcomes of his actions, thus turning himself into a man of thought and not actions. His intellect can be seen throughout the play, “ The point envenomed too! Then, venom, to thy work”. Even in this time of action Hamlet is able to think enough to kill Claudius. His intellect is what lead him to this position but also helps in making a crucial decision. All of Hamlet's worries, the fear of being forgotten, his indecisiveness, the fear of being a man of thought all stem from his intellect.

Throughout the play Hamlet is driven by the fear of being forgotten, this leads to much of his erratic behavior. The audience is aware of where this infatuation with being remembered stems from, as seen in this excerpt:

“Within a month

Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears

had left the flushing in her galled eyes

She married”

The source of Hamlet's fear of being forgotten stems from the fact that his father who he held on a pedestal, was forgotten so quickly by his mother. So this leaves Hamlet with problem of, if his father who was so great could be forgotten, how could he ever be remembered? Thus leading to his erratic behavior. As well in this famous line the audience is shown his infatuation with being remembered, “Be all my Sins remembered”. Even reflecting upon his sins he still wishes for them to be remembered. As Hamlet finishes his soliloquy he makes it be known that he even wants his worst mistakes to be remembered, thus meaning that he is willing to commit sins if that is what it takes to be remembered. In Hamlet's dying wish he states, “ So Tell him with th’occurets, more and less which have solicited the rest is silence”. Hamlet's last attempt to have his storied remembers comes after he realizes his decisions have lead to the end of his life. This need to be remembered leads to many of his questionable decisions, such as putting on the play that leads to Claudius’ persecution of him. Hamlets infatuation with being remembered leads to his eventual downfall.

A trait that is evident throughout the play is Hamlet's inability to decide in many of his interactions with other characters and in important moments. For example in his most famous soliloquy he states:

'Whether tis nobler the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune

Or to take arms against a sea of trouble'

Hamlet realizes that he has two paths to take but he is unable to decide which will lead to a better outcome. But this is also insight into a underlying conflict within himself, his inability to be a man of action rather than a man of thought. Also seen in “When he is fit and Seasoned for his passage? No up sword,and know thou a more horrid hent”. Hamlet's indecision in this key moment where he could take action and kill claudius but his indecision leads to the wrong outcome. If he was able to make a decision to kill Claudius he could have avoided his eventual poisoning. Also from his soliloquy “To be or not to Be”. As Hamlet spends time contemplating killing himself he could be acting upon the knowledge he already has. Hamlet spends his time in thought rather than taking action. This indecisiveness is what hinders is ability to take action.

Hamlet's self created down fall can be placed on a few of his flawed character traits. His intelligence that leads to his indecision in key situations being the main reason for his downfall. As well as his infatuation with being remembered. These aspects of Hamlet's character come together to lead him to his self created demise.