Hamlet's Inability to Act "To be or not to be, that is the question." (Hamlet) This is the question that plagues Hamlet throughout the entire play. Should I live or die, should I take revenge for my father's death? These are all issues that Hamlet battles within himself. Hamlet's indecision is followed by inaction. The reason for this struggle with indecision can be based on many factors or a combination of a few. As illustrated through his speeches and soliloquies, Hamlet has the mind of a true thinker. Reenacting his father's death in front of Claudius was a wonderful idea in itself. While he may have conceived of sights like this, at the same time his mind held him back. His need to analyze and demonstrate everything that was certain increasingly distanced his moment of action. Hamlet continually doubted himself and whether or not the action he wanted to take was justifiable. The visit Hamlet receives from his dead father makes the reader think that the time has come for Hamlet to go and seek revenge. This is not the case. Hamlet seems eager to try to take Claudius' life in the name of his father, but before he can do so he has an idea, what if that isn't my father, but an evil apparition that sends me down the wrong path? This shows that even with substantial evidence of Claudius' actions, Hamlet's mind is not satisfied. With his thinking mind Hamlet does not become a typical vengeful character. Unlike the more erratic behavior of individuals seeking revenge out of anger, Hamlet considers the consequences of his actions. What would people think of their prince if he killed the king? What kind of effect would it have on his beloved mother? Hamlet considers matters of this kind that actually hasten his decision. After all, once his mother is dead and his feelings are out of play, Hamlet is quick and aggressive in forcing poison into Claudius' mouth. Once Hamlet is certain that Claudius is the murderer, it is only after he himself has been and his empire has fallen that he can finally act. In addition to Hamlet's over-analysis of the situation and his constant review of all the reasons why he should not act, there is another force that he cannot control.