As the eldest son of the dead king Hamlet, Prince Hamlet is seen as next in line to take the Danish throne. However, there is a warp in the royal line of heirs: it is Claudius, the deceased Kings brother. Who Murders the king, and manipulates the nation of Denmark into crowning him King. To young Hamlet the crown and the throne portray themselves as mere objects, whereas the death of his father is the dreadful news that causes the ground to fall beneath his feet.
Hamlet losses his throne through the cunning and wit of his deceitful uncle. His father dies while Hamlet is away studying at the University of Wittenberg, and since the nation of Denmark had adopted the elective monarchy system; the throne became unreserved for heirs and open for Claudius. Therefore, it is through legitimate election that Claudius gains power to the throne (Act 1 scene2; 1-16). Hamlets lack of concern toward the loss of the Danish crown points in the direction of his mothers possible infidelity, and this is evident when he confronts her in the closet scene in act 3: Such an act that blurs the grace and blush of modesty, call virtue hypocrite, takes off the rose from fair forehead of an innocent love and sets a blister there, makes marriage vows as false as dicers oaths O, such a deed as from the body of contraction plucks the very soul... (Act3 scene4; 40-48). Moments before this, Hamlet takes the life of Polonius who is hidden behind the arras, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation. Here his vicious attack is based on his mothers hasty marriage after his fathers death, he impulsively drives his rapier through the arras, assuming it was Claudius who was hidden not Polonius. O me, what hast thou done? (Queen) Nay, I know not. Is it the King? (Hamlet) Perhaps Hamlet should have taken a different course of action. Instead Hamlet should direct his rage toward his mother for allowing his uncle to deprive him of his kingdom. While raging, he should also give some thought to the likelihood that she was having an affair with Claudius before King Hamlets death. Logically, without the existence of this relationship, the audience would be forced to believe that Gertrude fell instantly in love, or was suddenly able to give into her suppressed desire for Claudius shortly after her husbands death, and immediately marry him. It can also be said that Gertrude gave her consent to the holding of an election, with the intention of giving Claudius power to the throne. As the Queen, Gertrude holds great power in the court, and holds the final word in deciding when and how the process should be held to elect a new King.
Disregarding the crown creates a tragedy in the life of Hamlet. He possesses true qualities that resemble a successful king, but is too distraught by the death of his father to pursue the crown and assume his role as the successor of the late king. One major point that illustrates why hamlet would have been a great leader is that the people of Denmark love him. In act 3 scene 1, Claudius wishes to send Hamlet away to England, to be killed, so that he is no longer a potential threat. However the king acknowledges that there must be a clear reason for Hamlets leave as to not raise suspicion among the people. Claudius decides to send Hamlet away with the excuse of going to collect the tribute that England owes Denmark: The motive, why to a public count I might not go, is the great love the general gender bear him; Who dipping all his faults in their affection, would, like the spring that turneth wood to stone, convert his gyves to graces; so that my arrows, too slightly timberd for so loud a wind, would have reverted to bow again, but not where I had aimd them (Act4 scene7; 16-24). With his actions, Claudius implies that Hamlet had a great influence over the people of Denmark, and that there is a clear favour of Hamlet over Claudius. Claudius is aware that the general public in the kingdom are very fond of Hamlet, and that they would side with Hamlet over the king.
Another reason that Hamlet would have been a good leader is that he fights for what he believes in. When Hamlet learns of his fathers murder he swears to avenge his death: Haste me to knowt, that I, with wings as swift as meditation or the thoughts of love may sweep to my revenge (Act1 scene5; 29-31). Hamlet wishes to set everything right when he tries to restore a rightful ruler to the Danish throne. He knows that his uncle is not the true king, and when Hamlet is fatally wounded in the death scene he tells Horatio that Fortinbras should assume kingship: But I do prophesy thelection lights on Fortinbras. He has my dying voice (Act5 scene2; 358-359). Hamlet demonstrates that he is not motivated by selfish means and truly wishes the best for his country, which is a trait only held by great historical leaders who love their kingdom. However, Fortinbras is not the most desirable individual to take the throne, but is well admired by Hamlet and seen as a good leader in his eyes.
As seen with other great kings and rulers in history, a sign of a good leader is seeking counsel or a second opinion before making a decision and taking action. A good leader considers the advice of counsel and accounts for the repercussions of his actions. Hamlet shows us that he would not have acted irrationally if he were the king of Denmark. When Hamlet discovers his uncle praying, he refuses to kill him on the spot because he wishes to have his uncle die in the same manner as father. If Hamlet were to make the decision without considering what he should do, he would have killed Claudius in his confession, but since Hamlet refrained from doing so it supports the idea of Hamlet being capable of thinking logically and does not make impulsive decisions. Another incident is when Hamlet had the players act out his fathers death; he and Horatio watched the kings reaction to see if he was truly guilty. I prithee, when thou seest that act afoot, even with very comment of thy soul observe mine uncle. If his occulted guilt do not itself unkennel in one speech, it is damned ghost that we have seen, and my imaginations are as foul as Vulcans stithy. Give him heedful note; for I mine eyes will rivet to his face, and after we will both our judgements join in censure of his seeming (Act3 scene2; 76-85). In these lines, Hamlet asks Horatio to watch his uncle with him to help him confirm his suspicion of the king during the play. The reason he chose Horatio to assist him is because he is a close and trusted companion of Hamlet, and he is also well educated as a scholar and a rational thinker. This way, if Claudius is disturbed by the performance, Hamlet will have a sufficient amount of evidence to prove that the king is guilty. If the king is unmoved, then it proves that the ghost was really an evil spirit bent on destroying Hamlet. This type of forethought shows that Hamlets is logical and carefully considers his strategy before acting on it.
The irony of Hamlet is that he is more than suitable to take the throne, but is too distracted by the loss of his beloved father and the secret infidelity of his mother to take what is rightfully his. Due to the chain of unfortunate events Hamlet is continually trying to restore order in both the kingdom and the royal family. Hamlet possesses exceptional qualities such as a charming personality and popularity amongst his country. He thoroughly contemplates his strategies to the extent that it prevents him from impulsive action, and in turn delays all action. Hamlets tragedy is that he is so consumed in the details of his fathers death that he is completely oblivious to the big picture that is carrying on his fathers legacy.
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