The Bliss of Failure

T.S Elliot's "The Love song of J. Alfred Prufrock" presents someone's inner struggle to take action, ultimately failing. This struggle echoes Hamlet's dilemma in Shakespeare's Hamlet since the indecision that Hamlet endures prevents him from avenging his father before everyone wanted him dead. Even though Prufrock rejects the idea that he is like Prince Hamlet, he suffers from a heavier burden. While Hamlet died relieved after avenging his father, Prufrock grows old as a fool that is unable to decide on the matters of his life. This indecisiveness is a constant theme in both works, but Hamlet was more successful than Prufrock.

Like Hamlet, J. Alfred Prufrock has plans, but his indecision and delay prolong the execution of these forever. Both of these characters question themselves, but Hamlet took a stand and eventually avenged his father. Unlike Hamlet, Prufrock remains unable to approach his beloved. When Hamlet saw Fortinbras's attitude towards his fathers death, he resoluted he would act. While Prufrock asks "Do I dare Disturb the universe?" (lines 46,47), Hamlet determined "O, from this time forth, My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!" (IV.IV.67). Hamlet was madly obsessed with the murder of his father and was unable to confront the culprit until he witnessed Fortinbras's bravery. There Hamlet decided he would avenge his father. Prufrock suffers from a similar obsession, but with a potential lover. While both are extremely pusillanimous, Hamlet moved on and died whereas Prufrock never expressed his feelings. 

Prufrock cannot approach this person and express himself so he concludes he cannot be like Hamlet. He accepts he is a fool and accepts he has been trying to be something he is not. Hamlet decided he would be a killer, something he was not. Prufrock says "I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be; Am an attendant lord", suggesting he cannot force himself to go against his nature the way Hamlet tried. He is a better fool than lover so he accepts it. Hamlet denies his true nature and tried to be vengeful, resulting in the avenging of his father, but his death too. These two failures raise many questions, most prominently, was this a true failure? Indeed they both failed, but they both attained satisfaction and peace of mind. Prufrock by isolating himself of the world and Hamlet by passing on his legacy and his story.