Action+vs+Inaction

Action vs Inaction

General:
 * Laertes & Hamlet:
 * After the death of his father, Hamlet seems to be opposed to everybody, because everybody else is getting on with their lives. However, Hamlet can't seem to do this, especially after what news that the ghost brings him. The dilema of whether or not he should act against what he thinks is wrong or to just ignore the situation puts him into a "state" of inaction, where he is thinking about his dilema. Hamlet is not perceived as a man of action, and at that time, a man of action was a man who enjoyed fighting in wars, like Hamlet Sr.
 * In contrast to this, Laertes, son of Polonius, is a very 'active' man within the play. Unlike Hamlet, he is an enthusiastic warrior, and apart from war, he makes himself occupied with other things (women) instead of sulking around. Laertes has a similar personality to what we know of Hamlet Sr. this is a good reason as to why Claudius may prefer Laertes as his son.
 * However, unlike that of himself, he promises his father that he will: "**sweep** to my revenge", "take **haste** to seek action".
 * Hamlet Sr. (Ghost) & Claudius:
 * Although Hamlet Sr. does not appear very much in the play, we can easily deduce that he was a man of action. When arriving back the the normal world to talk to Hamlet, he does so in his battle armor. Coming back in his armour represents his lust for battle, proving that he was a man of action. "Till the foul crimes done in my way" This quote just proves how, although some of the kings actions have been bad, he has done many things in his lifetime.
 * Claudius is percieved to be a "house husband that seems to stay at home and enjoy his drinking and partying" (quote ms. boyce). He does not seem to be enthusiastic about fighting in wars, or anything for that matter. He dosen't even really give his full ability to figure out what is wrong with Hamlet, instead he sends two 'mindless' people to do the work for him, he is not percieved to be a man of action.
 * Polonius:
 * Polonius, i believe, is a man of action. This is mainly because he likes to know everything that is happening not only in the castle but even in places like France, where his son went to go visit. Being the kings advisor, he may feel the need to take everything into account and take action as to find out everything that is happening in the castle.