HAMLET
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Hamlet
For what reason does Hamlet postpone killing Claudius? This question pondered my mind for a couple of days. When I started to factor in Hamlet's status in society the answer became clear. Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark couldn't kill Claudius just any way. Hamlet has to make sure he kills Claudius when he is sinning so he will go to hail, Hamlet doesn't want to kill Claudius when he is right with God because he wouldn't suffer in his aftermath. Hamlet knew that the death of Claudius would be History, therefore, Hamlet postpones the death of Claudius to make sure the death is noble enough to read about in books.
A Formalist approach is helpful to study Hamlet. A Formalist approach allows the reader to identify a "stable meaning" within the text (Barnet 1405). One of the stable, or consistent, ideas in Shakespeare's play revolves around Hamlet's delay in avenging the death of his Father.
After the death of Hamlet's Father, Hamlet's uncle, Claudius, took his place as King and then married the Queen, who was also Hamlet's mother...