Why did Hamlet struggle to murder Claudius?

There are a few reasons which explain why Hamlet struggled to kill his uncle. The main explanation is that Hamlet was a scholar as opposed to the typical character's Shakespeare presents. His personality involved weighing up situations and evaluating the consequences. Therefore, Hamlet struggled to use brute force and the single motivation of revenge to murder his Uncle. Another explanation for Hamlet's struggles links to Sigmund Freud's Oedipus complex. The Oedipus complex suggests that young boys resent their fathers due to unresolved feelings towards their mothers. Therefore, Hamlet may have believed his Uncle had supported him by murdering his Father and saved him from carrying it out himself. Ultimately, he was grateful for his Uncle's act and did not want to cause him any harm.

JG
Answered by Jessica G. English Literature tutor

3616 Views

See similar English Literature GCSE tutors

Related English Literature GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is Iambic Pentameter in Shakespeare's work?


Explain how Bronte presents Jane as a strong character in Jane Eyre


How would you begin to answer the question "Compare the ways poets present ideas about death in ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ and in one other poem from ‘Power and Conflict’."


Analysing a short poem in order to get the highest marks


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning