Beginning of Essay
The most important line in Hamlet is, "The play's the thing, wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king." (II, ii, 617). In the play, the issue of a clear conscience forms a key motif. When the conscience of the characters appears, it does so as a result of ....

Middle of Essay
.... following a conversation with his recently wed mother and uncle reflect the uneasiness he feels. He feels betrayed. "O, most wicked speed, to post, with such dexterity to incestuous sheets. . . but break my heart, for I must hold my tounge." (I, ii, 156-159). Hamlet's conscience tells him what is wrong-in this case, the hasty marriage-but he is ambivalent as to how to approach it; before he meets the ghost, silence is his method. When Hamlet meets his father's ghost however, he feels sure of himself, and knows what he must do. As a result of the dialogue with the ghost, Hamlet's conscience makes him feel that revenge is the best method to deal wit ....