Question

In most of his soliloquy, Hamlet bitterly scolds himself for not taking steps toward revenge before now. In the last eight lines of the scene, he "thinks up" a reason for his delay. What is the reason?

Answer 1

Hamlet's delay is due to the complex emotional response to his mother's behavior, which Shakespeare portrays as exceeding the capacity of action or plot to resolve fully.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reason Hamlet comes up with for his delay in seeking revenge is rooted in the complexity of his feelings and the inadequacy of his mother, Gertrude, as an object of his disgust. Hamlet's bitterness and self-scolding in his soliloquies reflect a psychological struggle that is not solely focused on taking action against his uncle, Claudius, for the murder of his father. He is grappling with overwhelming emotions that exceed the actual circumstances, predominantly centered around his mother's behavior, which Shakespeare explores but doesn't fully resolve in the play.

Answer 2

Ah okay I remember this scene now. Hamlet does not know yet if the ghost he saw was truly his father, or a work of the devil. (He says "The spirit that I have seen may be a devil.") Therefore, to make sure the ghost wasn't lying, Hamlet will put on a play that mirrors the scene in which Claudius murdered his father and will watch Claudius for a reaction. If he reacts badly, Hamlet will know that the Ghost was telling the truth.

Basically, his reason for delay is because he does not actually know if Claudius murdered his father yet. He wants to make sure it is true before he takes his revenge.