Question

Read the following extract and answer the questions:

'Thus conscience does make cowards of us all, And thus the native hue of resolution Is sickled o'er with the pale cast of thought'

1. How does our conscience influence us?
2. Identify the contradiction in the first two lines and explain.

Answer 1

1. Our conscience makes us think deeply about the consequences of our actions. This overthinking weakens our determination and makes us hesitate before taking action.
2. The contradiction is between “conscience” and “resolution.” Conscience makes us cowards, while resolution represents courage and determination to act. Hamlet means that excessive thinking and moral doubts weaken our natural determination to act.