Perhaps the most discussed and criticized aspect of Shakespeare's Hamlet is why Hamlet waits until it is too late to avenge the death of his father. However, after reading Hamlet, I think it is fair to ask not only why Hamlet waited too long, but whether Hamlet waited too long or not. In fact, I find Hamlet's thinking throughout the play quite enjoyable and I sympathize with his situation. I argue that Hamlet made the right decision by waiting to act to avenge his father's death. In order to examine whether Hamlet waited too long to act, it is still crucial to examine why he waited so long, in order to get a better insight. understanding of one's actions and the results of one's actions. Hamlet's main motivation throughout the play does not seem to be the death of his father or even the appearance of his father visiting him. The main force behind Hamlet's thoughts and actions in the play is his mother's marriage to Claudius. In his soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 2 where he laments the death of his father, he points to his mother's hasty marriage to Claude as a major source of his grief. A little month, or before these sights were old With which she followed the body of my poor father Like Nioble, all tears, why she - oh God, a beast who wants a discourse on reason - would have cried any longer! - married to my uncle (I.II.148-152) The main point of Hamlet's distress in these lines is the speed with which the queen acts- only a month after King Hamlet's death. Perhaps most moving is Hamlet's remark that a "beast" would have cried longer before remarrying. These lines establish what may very well be the reason why Hamlet delays his revenge: he comes to fear haste. He is disgusted that his mother acted in haste to marry Claud...... middle of paper ......the There will always be many critics who claim that Hamlet waited too long to get revenge, the violence was, as Laertes points out, the work of King Claudius. The actions of Claudius – and the queen as well – establish an inevitable violent conflict that will take place no matter what; the timing of this is not of primary importance. It should be noted, however, that throughout the play, when characters act with great haste, great misfortune follows. For Hamlet, he resists lowering himself to the level of his mother who was far too quick to marry Claudius. Instead, Hamlet plans his actions against Claudius and, in doing so, shows himself to be noble and earns Laertes' forgiveness. The destruction at the end of the play was Claude's fault. The exchange of forgiveness between Laertes and Hamlet – a glimmer of hope and reconciliation in the midst of destruction, is Hamlet's work.