Question

Based on what you learned in Act 1, what kind of conflict does Hamlet's struggle with Claudius exemplify?

Answer 1

The correct answer is definitely an internal conflict. Hamlet is torn between his uncertain knowledge that Claudius is probably the killer who poisoned his father, late King Hamlet and usurped the throne and his mother’s bed and his apparent inaction and sense of helplessness. Because his initial response is so meditative, he blames himself for failing to rapidly avenge his father’s death but at the same time he suffers greatly because he has no proof of the alleged murder “most foul”.  Furthermore, only a handful of uninfluential allies support him and he is alone in court against King Claudius who enjoys the court’s and his mother’s support. Hamlet considers that taking such a long time to find proof of the murder is akin to a failure to act and compares his own attitude to that of Fortimbras, who wastes no time in words and acts swiftly and bravely.