Chapter 1
Setting the scenes in Denmark and Scotland
Chapter 2
Supernatural catalysts of ghost and witches
Chapter 3
Ambition versus hesitation
Chapter 4
The tragic climaxes of poison and steel
YOUR GOAL
Master of Telling Hamlet apart from Macbeth
Ch 3 · Ambition versus hesitation
schopenhauer Ambition versus Hesitation
Hamlet hesitates and overthinks a thousand lines, But Macbeth just rushes through his dark and quick designs.
schopenhauer Gertrude and Lady Macbeth represent completely opposite forces of influence on the protagonists.
schopenhauer Macbeth's tragedy lies in his rapid action, spurred by a drive for power at all costs.
BETA
schopenhauer Match iconic quotes and characters to discover how to tell Hamlet apart from Macbeth.
Fun Fact
To be or not: The famous 'To be or not to be' speech is often performed with Hamlet holding a skull, but he actually holds it in a completely different scene.
Glossary
ambition (noun)
A strong desire to achieve or do something, typically requiring determination and hard work. This quality drives Macbeth to assassinate King Duncan, contrasting sharply with Hamlet's paralyzing reluctance to kill Claudius.
A strong desire to achieve or do something, typically requiring determination and hard work. This quality drives Macbeth to assassinate King Duncan, contrasting sharply with Hamlet's paralyzing reluctance to kill Claudius.
Quiz
Which character's late-play monologue contains the tragic phrase 'Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow'?
Quiz
What does the historical Renaissance term 'melancholy' refer to in Hamlet's character?
Quiz
Unlike Lady Macbeth who is a co-conspirator, how does Queen Gertrude act in Hamlet?
Quiz
Who is Hamlet's passive mother, the Queen of Denmark, who marries the murderer?
Quiz
Which famous soliloquy features Hamlet debating the nature of life, death, and suicide?
Quiz
What is Prince Hamlet's primary psychological struggle throughout Shakespeare's play?