Hamlet as a Philosopher

Reading Hamlet, and identifying Hamlet as a character allows for a variety of interpretations. What is his role in the play? Is he good or evil? Sane or insane? Hero or villain? In our recent group discussions, my group discussed Hamlet as a philosopher. We definitely discussed some interesting ideas, helped by our classmates. 

There were some contrasting views in our class, as well as in our smaller group. One comment found on our big poster concerning Hamlet said: "His tendency to THINK keeps him from ACTING." This is a very clever point to make - often we witness Hamlet contemplating things in a very calculated and logical manner - but by doing so, he stalls the moment many of the readers are expecting or waiting for. This is evident in his idea to put on a play to verify whether Claudius is guilty, and is it also apparent in his decision to wait to kill Claudius at a time in which he is not "praying." This brings in the question: Is Hamlet's tendency to think an advantage or disadvantage to him in the play? 

Discussing this question with my group, we found that there were varying responses to this important question. Some of us agreed that Hamlet's tendency to think was a true advantage - he exists as a sort of moral judge in this play. His ability to stay precise and determined in the situation that he is put in speaks a lot about his character. There are moments of intimate weakness in the play - yet he continues to remain logical and pragmatic. In his famous "To be or not to be" I found this very evident. I saw this speech as Hamlet's contemplation of suicide - he was alone and he was weak. Yet he still has the mind to contemplate as a philosopher would saying, "...ay, there is the rub, for in that sleep of death what dreams may come when we have shuffled off this mortal coil must give us pause." There is significance in this scene, and in my view, it only adds to the idea that Hamlet is not mad - he is sane and he is vigilant and alert of his surroundings. He knows how humans work and he recognizes their unpredictability, thus finding it necessary to remain calm, collected, and certain of Claudius' guilt. Additionally, Hamlet shows moments of both intellectual and philosophical brilliance throughout the novel. In another moment of despair, Hamlet claims, "...what is this quintessence of dust?" His words often serve as a sort of intellectual isolation, and this point of view shows existentialism before it even existed! Another such quote I liked very much was, "Nothing is good or bad but thinking makes it so." Hamlet recognizes the power of perception and illusion - his discoveries and knowledge portray him as a character of much higher intellect than those surrounding him in the play.

As some of us found it an advantage, others found Hamlet's constant tendency to think a disadvantage. Not only does his thinking cause him delay in his purpose, but it also hurts many of those around him [Gertrude and Ophelia]. When Hamlet makes the decision to not kill Claudius at that particular time, he loses out on the opportunity we have all been waiting for. Some people thought that his ability to think did not make him a philosopher - he simply has random moments of strength and weakness and lets them guide his very actions. This can relate to the idea of another interpretation of Hamlet: Hamlet as a coward. Does Hamlet actually know he is doing? Is he simply a slave of his own constantly changing thoughts? A member of my group mentioned the significance of the ghost that comes to remind Hamlet of his true purpose while he is denouncing his mother. Is Hamlet truly the "good" and "moral" person here? One comment left on the poster read: "He actually killed Polonius, killed with a knife." I thought this was an extremely interesting take on Hamlet as a philosopher. Is he even a philosopher? Shouldn't someone that was is as logical and clear minded as Hamlet have waited long enough to confirm that Polonius was Claudius before killing him? 

Thinking of Hamlet as a philosopher brings in a lot of questions regarding his nature and character in the play. I think it's for this very reason Hamlet makes such a captivating read.