Hamlet infers, “conscience does make cowards of us all” suggesting that these potential consequences disallows Hamlet from taking action. Because of his tendency to over-think, he develops a lack of urgency in his decision-making, defining himself as truly a procrastinator instead of a “man That is not passion’s slave” (Act III. Scene ii. Lines 73-74). The death of Hamlet’s father and his mother’s hasty remarriage to his uncle commences Hamlet’s depressed state; however, his internal conflict and procrastination further Hamlet’s melancholic disposition.
It becomes clear that Hamlet did truly love Ophelia, yet hid it because he was a coward. The “ White Lie” is not only depicted through Hamlet denying his love but also putting a front up for the selfish betterment of his life style. After his outrageous lecture on self worth that Hamlet gives Ophelia, she grows incredibly mad, which ultimately leads to her death. Although the intentions of his lecture were clearly to hurt Ophelia and gain power over her, once he realizes she is dead he feels the need to express his actual love for her. His change of attitude grows confusing as he professes his dear love after her awful death, “ I loved Ophelia.
The Prince tells the families his opinion when Romeo and Juliet are found dead: “Where be these enemies? Capulet, Montague, / See what a scourge is laid upon your hate” (5.3.291-292). In the end, even the Prince agrees that the families hate and constant pressure on their children killed them. The families they were born into want them to hate each other forcing Romeo and Juliet to do drastic things. The friar’s lack of communication, Romeo and Juliet’s emotions, and pressure from their families are responsible for Romeo and Juliet’s death.
Let’s explore the moments within the text where Hamlet actually used his smarts to trick the other conniving characters into thinking that he didn’t love Ophelia and was going insane instead. Throughout Act 3 and 4, the play leads readers to believe the Hamlet does not love Ophelia. He is constantly saying contradicting statements and in a way mistreating her. Hamlet says “I loved you once,” and then four lines later he says “I loved you not.” What’s going on with the mixed messages? Well Polonius, Ophelia’s father does not approve of their courtship and Hamlet know this.
Hamlet faced himself with a painful loss and feels the betrayal towards his mother due to the reason that she married the murderer of her husband. Hamlets emotions start to change drastically due to the indecision of how to proceed his situation. Should he go towards revenge and fallow his duty as son or fallow his duties and expectations as Prince. Hamlet finds a way in which he could fallow his duty as son by killing Claudius in a manner in which he would not find fault in. Hamlet gathers evidence against Claudius and then has the right to comply with his revenge towards Claudius but also stays as Prince to fallow his responsibility.
The beginning of the key scene is important because, Hamlet has been summoned by his mother, who is furious with him for events surrounding the play-within-the-play, in which it has been suggested clearly that Hamlet’s father has been murdered by his brother. Hamlet, however, confronts his mother, still unhappy that she is married to his uncle, Claudius. Polonius has been sent to spy on Hamlet on behalf of Claudius. Hamlet kills Polonius, apparently believing it to be Claudius. Old Hamlet’s ghost appears for the second time to remind Hamlet of his mission of revenge for his father’s murder.
Different events throughout the play lead these relationships to change, and lead both Romeo and Juliet to distrust their parental figures. For example when the Nurse, whom Juliet trusts deeply, refers to Romeo as a “dishclout” despite knowing that he is Juliet’s husband, this then leads Juliet to distrust the Nurse. When Capulet’s “fingers itch” after Juliet has disobeyed him, this could also be seen as failure on Capulet’s part to be a good parent. Some may argue that these events are examples of how Romeo and Juliet are failed by their parents and parental figures. In Act 3 scene 5 it could be argued that Juliet is failed by both her parents.
When Hamlet pours his heart out for his late father, the new King Claudius deems him to be unmanly. To be unmanly is to be womanly, and Claudius considers his new stepson/nephew to be such. “ ‘Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet, To give these mourning duties to your father, […] But to persever in obstinate condolement is a course of impious stubbornness. ‘Tis unmanly grief (I.ii.87-94).” Later on, in act 2, Hamlet curses himself for being womanly. “Why, what an ass am I!
The decisions one makes can influence the course of one's journey through life, all stemming from a single moment in time. In William Shakespeare's tragic play, King Lear, the title character is a flawed man whose inability to see the truth in front of him leads to his downfall. King Lear's journey through the play takes him on a path from denial to rage to isolation, leaving him, in the end, a broken fragment of the king he once was. His denial stems from his not being able to see his daughters' true colors. This denial leads to his rage, when he perceives that Regan and Cornwall are being thoughtless of his authority.
Procter's guilt, stemming from his lechery, causes him to become hesitant to speak publicly because of his fear that he will reveal himself as an adulterer. He tries to avoid making an appearance in the primary proceedings, saying to Reverend Hale: "I've heard you to be a sensible man, Mr. Hale. I hope you'll leave some of it in Salem" (185) Proctor tries to wash his hands of the whole issue, choosing, instead, to deal with his own private troubles. His wife, Elizabeth Proctor, continually pesters him about his adulterous affair and he retorts with "Let you look sometimes for the goodness in me, and judge me not," (194). Rather than get involved in the witch trials Proctor continues to defend himself in the treacherous love triangle.