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William Shakespeare, perhaps the greatest playwright of all time, authored a number of works consisting of sonnets, comedies, and tragedies. In his brilliant career, Shakespeare created literary works of art. What makes Shakespeare unlike any other writer of his time, or thereafter, is his ability to organize a realistic plot, manage themes, and develop characters within his works. As well, Shakespeare's ability to provoke feeling and reaction to his writing is also what sets him apart from other common writers. Of his works, Hamlet is perhaps the most studied and most intriguing of the collected tragedies. In this play, many audiences and critics question the actions of the characters and particularly the actions of Hamlet. The answer to: ‘Why does Hamlet delay in avenging the death of his father?’ is one that is not easy to identify. Possible conclusions include the role of others in Hamlet, Hamlet's religious nature, or even Hamlet's tragic flaw as a hero in Hamlet.

In addition to the tragedy of human spirit, destiny, or the hero, Hamlet was written as a tragedy of conflict. In a close examination of the conflict of tragedy theme, there are two distinguishable types. The first involves the external conflicts; these often include elements such as antagonists, character foils, and other minor characters. The second involves the internal conflicts including self, morality, and justice. This internal type of conflict is the basis for Hamlet and the character's consequently tragic commission of a procrastinatic tragic hero. Together, both internal and external conflicts, if, when managed adequately, may be used as a measure for success in relation to overall effectiveness, as demonstrated in Hamlet. "Why, here are some eight violent deaths, not to speak of adultery, a ghost, a mad woman, and a fight in a grave!" In a few short words, the preceding quote is somewhat true; however, it only describes the plot. The focus...