In this critical extract written by Northrop Frye, a very interesting idea has been mentioned. The thought, "A man's quality may be inferred from the record of what he has done, or it may be inferred from what he is trying to make of himself at any given moment" clearly reflects both Hamlet and Claudius.
Claudius actions made him what he is now, the King. Unfortunately, Claudius's "great potential (has been) fatally blocked by something he has done and can never undo", that is killing his brother. Hamlet will forever see his uncle as a murderer without taking into consideration those actions were intended to make him king, "you've done such and such, so that's forever what you are".
Frye talks about a limited repertoire humans have, as they age, it becomes narrower. We all build secondary prisons out of our actions, as Frye's expresses, consciousness could be connected to the prisons. For example, after Claudius has killed his brother, he starts to feel remorse, preventing him from truly acting. Not only do we limit ourselves, but the society that surrounds us has a huge impact on us. The way consciousness could be cured, is by actions, because even our conscious is a murderer, it kills actions.
The play Hamlet, was very significant because it shows the conflict of consciousness and action. The fact that it talks about "action and thinking about action so deeply", has made literature deeper and bolder. If it wasn't for Hamlet, the Romantic movement might of never existed.
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