A View of the Views about Hamlet

Introduction

• Albert H. Tolman's essay aims to classify and interpret existing essays on Hamlet, rather than to present a new one.
• The focus is on the central mystery: Why does Hamlet delay revenging his father's murder?
• Three questions are addressed:
  • Possible explanations for Hamlet's procrastination.
  • Existing critical theories about the play.
  • Compatibility and conflicts among various explanations.

The Command to Revenge

• The Ghost lays a threefold command on Hamlet:
  • Revenge his murder.
  • Taint not thy mind.
  • Contrive not against thy mother.
• The primary emphasis is on revenge; the other two commands are secondary.
• A key question is the play's moral standing-ground: Should Hamlet have accepted immediate, violent revenge as his duty?

Possible Explanations for Hamlet's Delay (Accepting Revenge as a Duty)

• If revenge is accepted as Hamlet's all-inclusive duty, possible explanations for his delay include:
  • Excessive tendency to reflection.
  • Weakness of will.
  • Disturbed emotional nature:
    • Deep-seated melancholy.
    • Moral sensitivity leading to disillusionment.
  • Suspicion of the Ghost.
  • Overpowering love for Ophelia.
  • Consciousness of mental derangement.
  • Interest in playing the role of madman.
  • Wish to be a reformer.
  • Bodily infirmities.
  • Cowardice.

Affiliated Explanations

• The first three explanations (reflection, will, emotional nature) are closely related and can be seen as different facets of the same issue.

Critics' Interpretations

• Coleridge: Emphasized Hamlet's