1. Neccesary Cruelty:
The speaker, Hamlet , is acknowledging that sometimes acts of cruelty may be necessary to prevent even worse consequences. To prevent more serious harm in the future, he recognizes that he has to take harsh actions in the present.
2. Avoiding Future Evil:
The phrase "thus bad begins" suggests that cruel actions can initiate a chain of events. Hamlet worries that his cruelty may lead to a cycle of violence and negative consequences.
3. Ethical Dilemmas:
Hamlet's words highlight the moral dilemmas that characters in shakespeare's plays often face. He is torn between his desire to do the right thing and his uncertainty about the potential outcomes of his actions.
4. Choices with lasting effects:
The line also emphasizes that once certain choices are made, their effects cannot be undone. Hamlet acknowledges that his decision to be cruel will leave behind lasting consequences that may be difficult to control.
5. Sacrificing the lesser Evil:
Hamlet grapples with the idea that to avoid a greater evil , it might be necessary to commit a less severe form of evil. He believes that his cruelty is a calculated risk to prevent future calamity.
6. Tragic Consequences:
The quote foreshadows the tragic events that unfold in the play. Hamlet's decision to be cruel ultimately results in a series of unfortunate outcomes, highlighting the unpredictable nature of consequences.