Idleness and passion: Hamlet's tragic character in the light of stoicism and medieval Christian philosophy

This thesis explores the character of Hamlet in Shakespeare's same-titled \nwork in the light of certain aspects of stoicism and medieval Christian \nphilosophy. Throughout the course of the play we see Hamlet struggling with \nhis thoughts. At first he deliberates without taking action as a consequence of \nhis reasoning, but in the later stages of the play he gives in to passion, which \nultimately leads to his own demise. The thesis gives an account of certain \naspects of both philosophies that are displayed in the play and shows how those \nideas influence the character of Hamlet and contextualize his personal tragedy. \nHamlet fails to follow the philosophies that he praises and to grow as a \ncharacter by overcoming his passions over the course of the play.