"Is it better to be a man of thought or of action?" This is the question that arises throughout this scene. Hamlet, as we all seen throughout this scene, battles with the idea of whether or not he should kill his uncle Claudius. His overall decision to take time and think it through was the best choice at this time, for if he wanted to kill him now, the fault would be on Hamlet. Everyone images Hamlet as this psychotic, crazy man, which at times he can be. If he were to kill Claudius, it would only prove to the others that there is truly something wrong with him. We witnessed Claudius confess his sins and repent (ask God for forgiveness) which King Hamlet did not get the chance to do. Therefor, Claudius has an automatic pass into heaven because once God sees your heart and confess of your sins, He always forgives. If Hamlet kills Claudius, when Claudius eventually dies, he will have access into heaven, while Hamlet roams the Earth living in sin, along with his father's spirit. Although Hamlet was given step by step instructions on ways to seek revenge against Claudius by King Hamlet, it would not be right. Claudius called on angels to help, got on his knees, and prayed to God in hopes for heavenly pardon. In essence, the father's instructions would not be useful because they would not have benefited him in the end.
It is only right that Hamlet wait to kill Claudius at a sinful moment and thus send him to hell. Hamlet does not want to follow in the footsteps of his father, where the King suffers in the afterlife because Claudius killed him at a vulnerable time where he was unprepared for heaven. Despite how I despise Claudius so much, anyone who asks God for forgiveness deserves to be forgiven. After all, Hamlet's ultimate decision was for the better of him, not his father's.
I like you perceptive of Hamlet ultimate decision of not killing Claudius was for the better of him, not his fathers'. However, I would have to disagree because was willing to him Infront of Gertrude, and still be damned to not go to heaven. I feel like Hamlet should not wait, murder is murder and either way his soul would suffer allow with his fathers and his uncle. Additionally, in the book Claudius acknowledge the fact that pardon is impossible while he retains the fruits of his crime. Overall, I really enjoyed reading your post.
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