In What Sense is Hamlet Wrong in His Plotting Against and Killing of Claudius and in What Sense He is not?
Claudius ought to have been legally charged and found guilty by a court, not at the legislative level. Except for a spirit’s accusation, Hamlet had no other evidence of Claudius’ culpability. He was initially overly careful when conducting cold-blooded murder. Hamlet was certain of Claudius’ culpability once he had proof, but there was nothing he could do about it other than kill him. Claudius was a terrible monarch who was dangerous, cunning, and above the law. Not only was killing him retribution, but it was also Denmark’s last hope.
Slogans like “eye for an eye, death for death” were still applicable during the time period. The request for retribution made by the spirit of Hamlet’s father, who claimed that he had been poisoned, was not unusual. However, there was no assurance that the spirit was not a devil or simply a child grieving his father symbolically. That’s just one side of the tale, though. Hamlet’s inability to make up his mind is the fundamental reason why his plan to assassinate Claudius is flawed. He considers too many options for answering any given subject and overthinks them.
What, in fact, would Hamlet become if he attacked an unarmed foe? Or even at that precise second when he gave himself up to true repentance? Just a murderer, nothing more. Who might Claudius develop into? His offering was that of a pitiful and defenseless victim. Such a sequence of circumstances is not what Hamlet wants to permit.
Although he usually acts on impulse, in this instance he meticulously considered and deliberated the murder. Claudius’ soul would be saved and destroyed if he were to be killed right away. For obvious reasons, Hamlet decides against killing him. He needs a complete, undebatable win over the opposition.
Denmark was not ready for a genuine insurrection, which was Hamlet’s problem. It was a dungeon-filled prison with no official authority over the king. Especially a cunning ruler like Claudius, who was revered as the nation’s savior. Each prisoner was forced to rely only on oneself in such a situation. As Claudius acknowledges, the populace loves the prince but remains apathetic. When Hamlet stands up, he does not consider the people.
