Among the many themes and attitudes that emerge from William Shakespeare's Hamlet, none other than the underlying thought of doubt shapes the play and its characters so dramatically. Indeed, the main questions and events of the play all arise due to doubts and uncertainties on the part of a multitude of characters. Although it is a common theme for many, no other character portrays this literary theme and crippling condition, hence the main focus and protagonist of the story, Prince Hamlet. Hamlet struggles to believe the evidence brought to him of his father's death, and goes through much indecision and reflection on life, death, and his future endeavors before finally realizing his purpose. Hamlet, even after choosing his path, is paralyzed by his chronic indecision and inability to act, and is ultimately brought down by it. Through Hamlet we are clearly shown that doubt and thinking have a place, but too much can and in the villages becomes his downfall. As in many plays and novels, early scenes often foreshadow later events or some ultimate truth that will shape future events. In the first scene before seeing the ghost we see Bernardo and Francisco exchange a few words. «Who is there? No, answer me. Get up and open up. - Long live the king” (1.1.1-3) From these short lines we can see that the work begins with a question about identity. Although both Francisco and Bernardo are both guards and are on the same side, they have no intention of revealing who they really are. This brief exchange mirrors what happens soon after in the royal family. Marcellus gives us another brief glimpse into this theme when he says that "something is rotten in the state of Denmark." come back to hurt him. Ophelia's new doubt in what was once Hamlet's love, combined with the death of her father, drives her mad and ultimately drives her to suicide. Hamlet's doubt seeps into all aspects of the play, from his internal struggles with identity to his enemy Claudius and every character in between. Hamlet never overcomes this problem until shortly after he himself falls victim to both his own doubts and the trap of Claudius and Laertes. Only after being pierced by the poisoned rapier and hearing directly from Laertes that he had been framed, can he act without doubt. In his final moments with Claudius who will soon die and his mission and doubts will be overcome, Hamlet tells Horatio to live and tell his story. In this moment of clarity for Hamlet he is able to see life as worth living for his friend outside of the veil of vengeance and death under which he had until recently been..