At first glance, the story of Hamlet is a long, drawn-out story of the prince of Denmark working up the courage to kill his uncle. However after a closer examination, it becomes obvious that Hamlet is not only questioning whether or not he should kill his uncle, but he is also asking himself, ‘Who is Hamlet?’ Hamlet is trying to figure out if he is a coward or a murderer.Sample Page

Hamlet’s need to make an important decision symbolizes how in real life, choices are never black and white. After Hamlet gives the edited script to the actors he says his second Soliloquy. Hamlet says, “This is most brave,/That I, the son of a dear father murdered,/Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,/Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words,/And fall a-cursing, like a very drab,/A scullion! Fie upon’t, foh!” (2.2. 506-511) Whilst drowning in self-pity, Hamlet is asking himself if he could be doing more.

Is he a coward for only waiting for a clear sign of guilt or is waiting for a definite answer the best solution? This can be seen all over Hamlet, even in the most famous soliloquy “to be, or not to be” (3.1.55). Although directly Hamlet is asking whether or not he should continue to live, in another sense he is asking to act or not to act against the king.