One of the major themes explored throughout the play is the mystery of death. Throughout the play, Hamlet looks upon death in several different ways, from fearing the uncertainty of what lies after it, to accepting it as something natural and inevitable. Under the influence of his role in the death of those around him, his understanding of death goes through a transformation. For Hamlet, death evolves from something to be feared to something to …showed first 75 words of 594 total…

…showed last 75 words of 594 total…to approach death is not to try to rush or delay it, but to accept it with dignity and leave an honest, good name after yourself. That is why Hamlet stops Horatio from poisoning himself; to prevent his friend's untimely death, and to have an honest witness. He does not want to be remembered as a cold blooded killer. One cannot defend his or her name after death; only ones legacy can speak for them.