Hamlet Theories There are several theories about why Hamlet, the main character of Shakespeare's masterpiece, Hamlet, delays in killing his Uncle, King Claudius. As the son of a murdered noble, Hamlet is obligated to avenge the death of his father. However, the act is never performed until the end of the play... quite some time after Hamlet discovered Claudius was his father's killer. Some historians and literary experts would say Hamlet's strong religious bonds prevented …showed first 75 words of 795 total…

…showed last 75 words of 795 total…one occasion that he could have his mother for himself. He also may have not wanted to emotionally hurt his mother by killing Claudius. Hamlet is an intriguing story... and an intriguing character. I understand now why Hamlet is perceived as one of the most complex literary characters of all time. Why does Hamlet put off avenging his father's death for so many months? He's a melancholic and he suffers from a severe Oedipal complex.