Hamlet - Why Did Hamlet Delay Killing The King?

Part I of Essay
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the main character continually delays acting out his duty of avenging his father’s murder. This essay will discuss how Hamlet’s nature and morals (which are intensified by difficult events) prevent him from carrying out the task. In the opening sce ....

Part II of Essay
.... before acting, for he says in Act II:2 that "The spirit I have seen may be a devil." However, even after the ‘play within a play’ through which Hamlet has obtained his ‘proof’ as to the nature of the Ghost and confirmed that Claudius is guilty, Hamlet says " I’ll take the Ghost’s word for a thousand pound," but fails to act and can only contemplate the event. Similarly, when Hamlet happens upon Claudius praying, he does not take the opportunity to kill the King, rather he makes excuses, saying he does not want Claudius t ....