"(Don't) be Hamlet"

Many tend to interpret hamlets soliloquy in different ways. Whether it is the definition of a word or whether it is the entire interpretation. After I have read the soliloquy over and over again I have found a couple key points. Hamlet is conflicted in whether he should kill himself of if he should continue to live a painful life, not only that but he is also conflicted in whether to seek revenge for his fathers death. Though revenge is not typically good there are certain occasions where it is necessary.

            The opening lines to his soliloquy “to be, or not to be—that is the question” clearly state that he is confronted with the question should I live or not. He knows that if he kills himself it will be a great sin but he is also aware that if he continues to live it will be very painful. He is upset about his mothers’ new marriage to his uncle, Claudius, and also with the fact that he knows his uncle murdered his father. The fact that his uncle murdered his father brings up another dilemma for him, and that is whether he should seek revenge or not. Once again revenge is a sin and he is unsure if it is a sin that is worth breaking.

            Though Hamlets life will be very difficult it is not worth taking his life. He will be looked upon as a coward and will be a disgrace to the family name. Many say that revenge is not the answer but I believe that in some cases it is necessary. Like in Hamlets case revenge will be the only way to win respect back. If everyone were to find out that Claudius killed his father and that Hamlet was aware and did nothing to get revenge, he will be considered a fool. He does not only need to live to seek revenge but also because of his great love for Ophelia. In his soliloquy hr refers to her as “the fair Ophelia” that is his way of demonstrating his love toward her.

            Whether Hamlet chooses to live or to die, to seek revenge or to not they are both sins. Even if he did not take action upon this the fair thought of him wanting to die or wanting to seek revenge was a sin. I figure if he already sinned by the thought of them why not just take action upon the thoughts, either way it would be a sin. Hamlets soliloquy is very difficult to interpret but once it is done it completes the whole thought process of Hamlet.