What evidence is there to suggest that Hamlet would have become a successful leader of Denmark had he survived?

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What evidence is there to suggest that Hamlet would have become a successful leader of Denmark had he survived?

In the final scene Forthinbras declares that Hamlet,

                “…………………….Was likely, had he been put on,

                To have proved most royal;”

By examining traits of Hamlet’s character and comparing his to the characters of others in positions of power I will discuss whether this statement is correct.

        

In Act 1 Scene 2 Shakespeare shows Hamlet has many leadership qualities. He is kind to Horatio when he tries to make out he is a truant.

                “I would not hear your enemy say so,”

                

He has created a strong friendship with Horatio and the guards, Marcellus and Barnardo, respect him even though he has not become King.  He can discuss his grief over his father’s death frankly and openly with them.  This show of trust for, and respect from, his piers is very important in a prospective leader.  

Hamlet is bitingly witty when talking of his father’s funeral and mother’s wedding.

        

“Thrift, thrift, Horatio. The funeral baked meats

                Did coldly furnish the marriage tables.”

This not only shows his bitterness but also his sharp intelligence.  At other points in the play Hamlet’s intelligence and wit are shown in his feigned madness.  An example of this is when he is ridiculing Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

                “I am but mad north-north-west.  When the wind is southerly,

                I know a hawk from a handsaw.”

The meaning of this riddle is clear but Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are clearly bewildered.  This shows Hamlet’s intellectual superiority over his schoolfellows.

In Act One Scene Two Hamlet goes on to exhibit his ability to question the men very shrewdly about the sightings of the Ghost. His questions are direct, penetrating and enable him to gain the information he needs. This is emphasised by the short, sharp sentences and the hard ‘f’ sounds used.

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                “Then you saw not his face?”

                “What, looked he frowningly?”

This would be a valuable quality for a leader in a crisis when the details needed to be known.

Hamlet is shown to have the positive resolution of a leader here as he determines to watch for the Ghost that night.  However he never loses sight of reason by being caught up in the excitement and is still able to reflect on the need for caution.  He tells the guards,

“If you have hitherto concealed this sight,

                Let it be tenable in your silence still”

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