Hamlet Soliloquy

In his self-comparison to Fortinbras’ army in Act IV Scene IV, Hamlet finds motivation to slay Claudius, but fails to commit to his passion as he ends his soliloquy, “My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth!” Hamlet deceives himself by vowing merely his thoughts to be bloody, but not demanding anything of his actions. This particular soliloquy connects to the novel as a whole: Hamlet clearly depicts his tragic flaw of hesitation, or moreover his inability to act.

Hamlet begins his speech frustrated with a “why me” attitude. Hamlet’s philosophical approach may have stirred psychologically as a motive for him to act. He deems man no greater than any other creature on earth; people are simply a part of the life cycle that keeps the earth biologically in order. His frustration mounts as he realizes for that if man serves, in fact, no real importance other than scientifically, his actions toward Claudius-deciding to kill him or not-will scarcely affect the world. Why then does Hamlet not kill his father’s murderer? His tragic flaw prevents him.

Hamlet “hath but one part wisdom and ever three parts coward.” He compares himself to Fortinbras’ army. Both he and the army have the passion and ability to follow through with their fights, yet Hamlet still hesitates. He continues his comparison acknowledging the fact that this army is risking thousands of lives for a minuscule

piece of land, but Hamlet, who has much more significant reason to act, cannot follow through with his revenge. Hamlet’s comparisons demonstrate apparent shame in his inability to act; furthermore his thoughts provoke more substantial reasoning