Hamlet

Since the very dawn of time, idealism has been simultaneously a great asset to man, and a great enemy. It has enabled him to aim for the greatest heights of perfection, but has also resulted in disillusionment and even destruction. Such is the case with Hamlet, an apparent victim of this idealism. In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Hamlet’s idealism brings about his downfall by forcing him to act in a manner he believes is absolutely right. This idealism can be seen in Hamlet’s decision to pursue vengeance for the death of his father; in his delaying to make an attempt on the life of Claudius until he is perfectly certain of his guilt; and in his failure to slay Claudius when he has the chance, even when certain of his guilt. Each one of these events is a direct cause of Hamlet’s final undoing.

The first example of Hamlet’s idealism as it relates to his downfall occurs early in the play, wherein he makes the decision to undertake revenge for the death of his father. ...