Final answer:
The interpretation that Hamlet is driven by ambition to be king is not well-supported by the textual evidence within the play. Hamlet's central motivations revolve around revenge, moral contemplation, and existential angst rather than a desire for power, making the idea that ambition is his primary driving force a difficult argument to maintain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Defending the interpretation that Hamlet is motivated primarily by ambition—more specifically, the ambition to be king—works against the traditional understanding of Shakespeare's complex character. This assertion would not align well with the textual evidence within the play.
The predominant motivations for Hamlet's behavior seem to stem from his desire for revenge for his father's murder and his deep disillusionment with both his mother's hasty remarriage to his uncle Claudius—who is now king—and with the nature of humanity itself, as well as with the moral corruption he perceives in the court of Elsinore.
While Hamlet does grapple with the idea of taking action against Claudius, his vacillation and philosophical musings denote a hesitation rooted in morality and existential angst, rather than a clear-cut ambition to seize the throne. Moreover, Hamlet's actions throughout the play often result in inaction when presented with opportunities to kill Claudius, suggesting that his ambition is not for power, but for understanding and moral resolution.