In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the main character continually delays acting out his duty of avenging his father's murder. This essay will discuss how Hamlet's nature and morals which are intensified by difficult events prevent him from carrying out the task. In the opening scenes of the play, the Ghost of Hamlet's late father reveals to him the true means by which King Hamlet died. The Ghost tells Hamlet that his father's death was caused by Claudius pouring poison into his ear. He exhorts Hamlet to avenge the murder. Hamlet's initial response is to act on the Ghost's exhortation quickly. Hamlet says;...
the very act he was condemning. In addition, in regards to his mother's sin, the ghost had told Hamlet to "leave her to heaven." This creates a moral dilemma for Hamlet because if it is God's duty to deal with his Mother's sin, surely the same applies to Claudius.

In conclusion, Hamlet delays in killing the King because of his own character; he is a philosopher and is of a melancholic disposition. External events in the play do not contribute to Hamlet's delay, but are rather used to Hamlet's advantage as excuses to further delay avenging his father's murder.