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Scolding his tentative followers, Jesus once admonished, But since you are like
lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth (Revelation 3:16). Unable
to fully commit to their religion, the irresolute followers become destined for a gruesome future.
Similarly, throughout Shakespeares Hamlet, Hamlet struggles to carry out his decision to kill his
uncle after the ghost of his father informs Hamlet of his murder. Shakespeare utilizes the motif
of Hamlets indecision between Hamlets loyalty to religion and to his father to demonstrate the
Hamlet, influenced by his religious values, struggles to make decisions and instead looks
to God for answers, suggesting that while one can look for guidance, they have to be the one to
carry out the action in order to achieve the desired outcome. For example, Hamlet proclaims his
wish that the Everlasting had not fixed his canon gainst self-slaughter (1.2.135-6). While
Hamlet yearns for an end to his depression, he blames God for his inability to end it. As a person,
Hamlet values loyalty over anything else, so betraying his religion by committing suicide would
act as a corruption of his morals and everything else that Hamlet stands for. While he appears to
be resolute in his devotion to his religion, instead of actively choosing to fully reject suicide,
Hamlet still lets the option continue to permeate his mind, making this decision passive. Despite
his discontent with his life, Hamlet does little to change it and instead looks to other people to
make choices for him, simply hoping that they will remain loyal to him. In addition, after the
ghost visits Hamlet for the first time, Hamlet calls out for all you host of heaven to hold [his]
heart (1.5.99-100). Hamlet relies on others in order to justify his actions and to motivate him as
well. By wanting those in heaven to hold him to his beliefs, he calls on others to make him
take responsibility when Hamlet should instead be self-motivated. While Hamlet recognizes his
indecisiveness, he cannot stay focused on his goal due his strong emotions, which outside factors
easily sway. This reference to his religion also shows that Hamlet feels powerless as he must rely
on a divine power to carry out his ambitions even though in reality, only his actions decide what
happens as to whether he decides to carry out his plan. In addition, Hamlet again contemplates
suicide, but decides against it another time because of the dread of something after death
(3.1.86). As a Christian, Hamlet does not kill himself simply because he fears that he would go
to hell. However, despite Hamlets refusal to commit suicide, Hamlet is still willing to kill his
uncle which would also be against his religion. Therefore, Hamlet only uses his religion as an
excuse for his actions when it becomes convenient instead of simply admitting that he cannot
bring himself to commit suicide because he worries of the unknown consequences. Hamlet does
not hold steadily to his faith, but rather allows it to make him unsure of his decisions.
In addition to Hamlets hesitation in his faith, despite his supposed loyalty to his father,
Hamlet also remains unsure as to whether he should avenge his fathers death by killing his
uncle, which reinforces the essentiality of acting on ones values. For instance, after Hamlet sees
his fathers ghost he proclaims that he will live by the ghosts commandment all alone
(1.5.109). Even without proof, Hamlet becomes quickly eager to avenge his fathers murder,
demonstrating Hamlets loyalty. However, this also represents a betrayal to his religion because
Hamlet chooses to live only by his fathers ghosts commandment instead of Gods
commandments as well. Even after saying this, Hamlet does not immediately avenge his fathers
death, and instead waits, demonstrating that despite Hamlets vow of revenge, he remains
unwilling to act on it. In addition, after Hamlet sees an actors moving performance as Hecuba,
Hamlet condemns, I am pigeon-livered and lack gall to make oppression bitter (2.2.04-5).
Hamlet compares the actors emotion to his own and does not understand why he cannot bring
himself to cry over his father when an actor can bring himself to tears over a character he has no
relation to. Hamlet sees this act as an act of disobedience to his father. Therefore, he despises his
own actions because it goes against his beliefs. However, instead of using this as motivation to
carry out the ghosts will, Hamlet still chooses not to follow through and instead simply waits for
further proof of Claudiuss guilt. By supposing that he is pigeon-livered, Hamlet again refuses
to take responsibility and instead chooses to believe that his lack of courage results from a
physical attribute which would hinder him, rather than his thoughts. Furthermore, because
Hamlet thinks that Claudius is praying, he chooses not to kill him in that moment because he
would send this same villain[...] to heaven (3.3.82-3). While Hamlet states that because killing
his uncle while he is in the state of prayer would simply allow him to go to heaven, he chooses to
wait to kill him. Nonetheless, Hamlet still delays in his mission to avenge his father. By saying
that he would send Claudius to a fortunate afterlife, Hamlet admits that he feels responsible for
ensuring the downfall of his uncle. While he wishes to stay true to his father by sending
Claudius to hell, the choice to wait again contributes to his indecision as to whether he will
actually kill him. Moreover, after Hamlet sees Fortinbrass soldiers ready to fight for a measly
piece of land, he questions, How stand I, then, that have a father killed, a mother stained,
excitements of my reason and my blood, and let all sleep (4.4.59-62). Hamlet again questions
why he cannot act on his loyalty to his father and achieve his vengeance. Hamlet thinks that he
should put his father before all else, yet does not show it. Despite this questioning of self, Hamlet
chooses to wait until someone else instead attacks him before he finally gets his revenge on
Claudius. Ultimately, Claudiuss death results from the attack on Hamlet, not the murder of
In conclusion, despite Hamlets supposed loyalties to his religion and his father, Hamlet
holds a grudge against Claudius. On the other hand, in his devotion to his father, Hamlet remains
unable to avenge his murder. While these two values oppose each other, Hamlets downfall
becomes his inability to choose to follow one completely. Ultimately, Hamlet allows Claudius to
live long enough to plot Hamlets demise. The chaos within Hamlet manifests into society,
leading to its downfall as well. Therefore, indecision results in a lack of action, which in turn
allows others to determine ones own outcome. Even if one does not fully believe in their choice,
the inability to become resolute will hurt one more. Thus, by simply making a decision and