Theme in Hamlet: Free Will vs. Destiny

A reoccurring theme in Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, has to do with the character's interpretations of effects that free will or destiny plays into life's events.  Free will is defined as, "the power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies" while destiny is defined as, "an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future" (Princeton Online Dictionary).  The first scene sets the stage for discussions regarding free will and destiny, but will carry on as the reality of the characters becomes more apparent to the others throughout the play.


Act I, scene iii - lines 17-18
LAERTES:
"His greatness weighed, his will is not his own
For he himself is subject to his birth."
-- Since Hamlet is the Prince of a royal family, his future is laid out for him the day he is born.  Since he is a man, he will one day run his country, Denmark, so the decisions he makes will not just be in his own interest, but in the interest of the people in his country.  Among the many decisions that will be made for him, a huge decision made for him is that he cannot choose who he marries.  This makes things complicated, for he is attracted to Ophelia, and her brother, Laertes, makes sure she remembers these facts.


Act I, scene iv - lines 31-38
HAMLET:
"These men carrying, I say, the stamp of one defect,
Being nature's livery, or fortune's star
Their virtues else, be they as pure as grace,
As infinite as man may undergo,
Shall in the general censure take corruption
From that particular fault.  The dram of evil
Doth all the noble substance of a doubt,
To his own scandal."
-- The footnotes state that nature's livery or fortune's star refers to 'nature's equipment (i.e. "innate"), or a person's destiny determined by the stars.'  Hamlet is saying that people can be born with defects that changes them.  However, one flaw can bring you down; it can make you look bad to others even if you're still a gifted person.  One doubt from the public can ruin one's reputation.  While destiny may give you certain gifts or defects, the free will of those around you can capitalize on those gifts or defects in a favorable or negative way.


Act I, scene iv - lines 90 - 91
MARCELLUS: "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."
HORATIO: "Heaven will direct it."
-- While what Marcellus states can be seen as an omen, Horatio's statement discusses the effect destiny has on our lives as well as the natural order of society.  They believe that something is not well with Hamlet, so they can either let him be and see what becomes of Denmark, or they can follow him to see what happens.  They chose to follow him and I believe this may eventually lead to more decisions or assumptions being based off of free will instead of destiny because, in a way, they are choosing to see what they want to see by following him.