#7

  Hamlet's flaw is that he holds an abundance of passion, yet his abundant passion does not lead to action.  Hamlet's passionate emotions lead him into loquacious monologues and soliloquies, and yet there seems to be no follow up action.  This changes when Hamlet is given an example to follow.  On his way to England his path crosses with Young Fortinbras.  In Fortinbras he sees a man of action, a man fully motivated after his father's death.  After this encounter Hamlet realizes, "How all occasions do inform against me/ And spur my dull revenge.../I do not know/ Why yet I live to say "This thing's to do.../O, from this time forth/ My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth" (IV.V.34-69).  Here Hamlet sees the error of his actions up until that point.  Formerly Hamlet could be characterized as inactive.  One who speaks yet does not back his words with action; one full of passion, yet does not pour his passion into the necessary action.  Hamlet recognizes this flaw and is ready to change it.  Still Hamlet does not resolve to action.  He goes back to the conclusion of being filled with passionate emotion.  He says his thoughts will only be "bloody".  He does not say, my actions will be bloody.  Again Hamlet's flaw of inaction is displayed by Shakespeare.  Hamlet must overcome this spirit of inaction and turn his thoughts and words into bloody deeds if he wants to fulfill the charge his father's ghost has given him.