Family was extremely important in the time of Shakespeare. In Hamlet, Gertrude marries her husband’s brother, Claudius, within weeks of his death. Hamlet is obviously enraged with such behavior, however, keeps to himself.
Because the kingdom of Denmark was at a very vulnerable time, due to King Hamlet’s death, any uproar within the kingdom itself would allow neighboring enemies to plan attack on the kingdom. King hamlet had worked far too hard to let enemies repossess his land. Hamlet and his father had a deep connection. Hamlet probably knows that causing a fight between him and his new stepfather would ruin the reputation of the kingdom.
A bad reputation on the kingdom would cause citizens to fee insecure. If there is no order within the kingdom, how should Denmark rule effectively?
Going back to the relationship with hamlet and his father, when Hamlet was talking to the ghost of King hamlet, he gave him advice. The ghost said, “...nor let thy soul contrive Against thy mother...” (Act I. Scene II). The ghost did not want Hamlet to disrespect his mother in any way.
Though Hamlet was eligible for the throne, he didn’t fight his uncle. Either it was to maintain order in the kingdom or may be to plot revenge. Hamlet is enraged by the information he has learned regarding the murder by Claudius. Hamlet may be trying to keep on the down low so that no suspicion arises.
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