Hamomlet
The question of why Hamlet delays in taking revenge on Claudius for so long has puzzled many readers and audience members. Immediately following Hamlet's conversation with the Ghost, he seems determined to do as the Ghost told him and swears his friends to secrecy about what had occurred. Hamlet had many opportunities to do away with his Uncle but for some reason there was always something wrong with the situation. The next appearance of Hamlet in the play reveals that he has not yet revenged his father's murder. In Scene two, Hamlet gives a possible reason for his hesitation, "The spirit that I have seen ...... May be a devil, and the devil hath power ...... T' assume a pleasing shape" (2.2.627-629). With this question running through his head, Hamlet becomes unable to act against his uncle.