William Shakespeare's Hamlet is one of the world's most revered works of literature. The main character, Hamlet, is arguably one of the most intriguing characters ever developed by the playwright. Hamlet is bold, philosophical, sometimes mentally unstable and intelligent. However, throughout the play these characteristics change and/or diminish as Hamlet faces a plethora of unfortunate events. His father is murdered by Claudius, his mother soon after marries Claudius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern betray him, and his girlfriend most likely commits suicide. While Hamlet is incredibly philosophical, indecisive, and resentful at the beginning of the play, he becomes violent, instinctive, caring, and sympathetic toward the end of the play. People all over the world know the principle “To be or not to be”. be” speech. Although some may not realize that this is a speech from Hamlet, they realize how powerful these lines are. These lines bear the mark of a great philosopher, and that is precisely what Hamlet is. Because Hamlet is a fantastic philosopher at the beginning of the play, this leads to what some believe to be his downfall. The fact that he may be thinking too much about the people and incidents around him is really what is dragging him down. He spends an inordinate portion of his day thinking about every aspect of every event. Hamlet sees the ghost of his father and learns that he was killed by his own brother, Claudius. It is then that Hamlet falls into an ocean of thoughts. The philosopher imagines ways to unmask his stepfather to his mother and Denmark and to obtain justice and revenge for his father's tainted death. “There is nothing good or bad, but thought makes it” (Shakespeare, 40). Hamlet achieves what is considered good...... middle of paper......dness” (Shakespeare, 116). Before Hamlet and Laertes fought, Hamlet asked Laertes if he could forgive him for his crime. Hamlet also admits his madness and hopes that Laertes can understand. This shows that at the end of the play his mind is fine again and he can function properly. Hamlet is a model philosopher because his thoughts go to depths that many others do not reach. He not only thinks about the problem, but he digests it well enough to be able to fully understand something. Unfortunately, he dwelled on the problem too long and was unable to execute his plan as a result. From indecisive to instinctive, he avenged his father but also injured himself. Hamlet was a man full of resentment and hatred towards his mother, but in the end he loved and cared for her. Because he went through so many tragic events, he became a completely changed person once they were over...