256 j4n ESSAr on the 



Now, in fuch an aflemblage of qualities, combining to form 

 the broad charadter of Hamlet, SnAKtsPEARE appears to 

 have feen, that they were balanced in fuch an oppofite manner, 

 that one clafs of them fliould counteradl, and render inefficient 

 the other. It is this that fufFered nothing to be done ; it is this 

 that conftantly impeded the adlion, and kept the cataflrophe 

 back. Refentment, revenge, eternal indignation, ftimulated 

 Hamlet at one moment ; at the next, vjt have the naere un- 

 bending and recoil of thefe paflions ; and not only this, which 

 was tranfient, but there followed, almoft at the fame in- 

 Itant, that gentlenefs which fo feldom left him. From this, 

 he could not, at any time, ad\ in cold blood ; he could ftrike 

 only in the fiercefl moments of provocation ; then " could he 

 " drink hot blood !" In the general tenor of his mind he could 

 do nothing ; he was like Samson, when his ftrength was gone 

 from him. 



Meanwhile, he is almoft conftantly chiding himfelf for 

 dull mettle, dull revenge, want of gall j a felf-reproach which, in 

 fome fcenes, breaks vividly out ; as upon the occafions where 

 he faw a mere player weeping over Hecuba, and when he was 

 told that the delicate prince Fortinbras was marching at the 

 head of his troops to rifli his life for an " egg-fhell." Hamlet, 

 in fhort, was not formed for adion. Upon the fluduation of 

 his mind between contriving and executing, between elevation, 

 fenfibility and gentlenefs, hangs the whole bufinefs of the 

 tragedy. 



In fuch a flate of Hamlet's frame, the projeA of counter- 

 feiting madnefs occurred to him with great confiftency. It was 

 a device to which his nature led ; bent upon vengeance ; defti- 

 tute of refolution diredly to gratify it ; afTuming therefore the 

 cloak of infanity, in order to lull fufpicion, and to watch at 

 leifure for thofe occurrences which time or chance might pre- 

 fent. To fecure, by this fi<5lion, his perfonal fafety was, in 



no 



