256 An ESS AT on the 



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

 the broad character of Hamlet, Shakespeare appears to 

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

 that one clafs of them mould counteract, and render inefficient 

 the other. It is this that fuffered nothing to be done ', it is this 

 that conftantly impeded the action, and kept the cataftrophe 

 back. Refentment, revenge, eternal indignation, ftimulated 

 Hamlet at one moment ; at the next, we have the tnere un- 

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

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

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

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

 only in the fierceft 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 ; a felf-reproach which, in 

 fome fcenes, breaks vividly out j 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 rifk his life for an " egg-fhell." Hamlet, 

 in fhort, was not formed for action. Upon the fluctuation of 

 his mind between contriving and executing, between elevation, 

 fenfibility and gentlenefs, hangs the whole bufinefs of the 

 tragedy. 



In fuch a ftate of Hamlet's frame, the project of counter- 

 feiting madnefs occurred to him with great confiftency. It was 

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

 tute of refolution directly to gratify it ; affuming 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 fiction, his perfonal fafety was, in. 



