Action, Inaction, What?

J. Alfred Prufrock demonstrates, throughout his so called "love song", an uncanny resemblance to that of prince Hamlet, yet he is, in fact, much worse. Despite disclaiming any likelihood to said character.

Both of the characters begin with a similar mind set. Each of the main characters have but one task to accomplish. Throughout the text, Prufrock wants to ask the woman he loves out, and Hamlet must decide whether or not to kill King Claudius. He must kill his uncle in order to avenge his father’s death. HE must choose either that or to live the rest of his life knowing he failed his father. In the end only Hamlet is able to make a decision as he was dying. On the other hand Prufrock was never successful in his endeavor, putting thoughts into actions. Ultimately both of them could be branded as cowards.

The texts portray both of the characters disappointing and self pitied thoughts directed towards their own indecision. Nevertheless as the story goes on we are able to observe a change in Hamlet ever so slight, yet still present. He finally makes the decision to take action, unlike Prufrock who remains unchanged. Hamlet decides to "Suit the action to the word, the word to the action" (Act III Scene II Line 17) and start doing something about the perilous situation that he's in. Still he hesitates but finally sets out to do what he made up his mind to do, regardless of whatever consequences there could've been. On another note Prufrock still contemplates death and his failed endeavor, to accomplish his hearts desire in what remains of his "song". Hamlet dies in the midst of action, while Prufrock sits around thinking about things that ay never be due to his cowardice.

Prufrock denies his likeliness to Hamlet yet his over thinking about action left him action less and as a result making him more like Hamlet without him realizing. Prufrock let inaction do away with him, leading him astray into a universe of nothing but thoughts about what ifs. Hamlet died a man of action,  the same could not be said for Prufrock.