Write a mini-essay where you consider the Leon’s observation that Hamlet’s feelings of entrapment render him incapable to act with wisdom and foresight.

Leon’s observation regarding Hamlet’s in ability to act with wisdom and foresight is valid. On one hand, Hamlet is a contemplative character who acts based on a strict moral code which is often excessive and uncalled for. On the other hand, Hamlet is an indecisive person by nature and tends to contemplate his every action to the point where it seems unreasonable to the readers of Hamlet. As a result, when tasked to avenge his father’s death, Hamlet struggles to cope. Hamlet is therefore caught between his own conscience and the honour of his father’s avengement.

Hamlet’s inability to act with wisdom and foresight stems from his failure to choose which path to follow: the path his conscience takes him on or the path of honourable avengement.

Being a Protestant, educated at the University of Wittenberg, Hamlet is guided by the laws of God and hence, refuses to act unless he can be sure that his actions align themselves with the moral values which exist in his conscience. This is epitomised by Hamlet’s refusal to kill King Claudius while in prayer citing his desire to end Claudius’ life at a time when his “…soul may be damned and black… As hell whereto it goes” (3.3.94-95) as his reason. Killing Claudius while in prayer does not assimilate within Hamlet’s Protestant values because the King Hamlet was not given the option to repent his sins before being murdered. As a result Hamlet misses an ideal opportunity to avenge his father’s death because he does not want to afford Claudius the opportunity to clear his conscious before his death. Hamlet’s hesitation to of whether to follow his conscience or the path of avengement in this case is an example of Hamlet’s lack of wisdom and foresight, as this event