<p>The entire basis of Hamlet (at least IMHO), is the fact that Hamlet is ambiguous throughout the whole play. That's what the "to be or not to be" is a part of -- whether he should face reality, or take the sissy way out.</p>
<p>Correct me if I'm wrong, but Laertes is a foil to Hamlet, as well as .. who was it, I think it was Polonius? Laertes is rash and easily angered, too quick to judge (as we saw in the duel scene and in Act 4), whereas Hamlet isn't.. and can't easily make a decision up until the very end..</p>
<p>Of course there's the whole thing about stabbing Polonius, but I'll let you figure that out by yourself.</p>
<p>Ambiguity isn't only with Hamlet, either. What about the ghost? Although it is King Hamlet's (the father's) ghost, what role does he play? He is incredibly ambiguous; we don't quite know if the ghost is there for good or evil purposes. Is he there to incite murder or to take vengeance?</p>
<p><em>shrug</em></p>
<p>Ambiguity is a main motif/theme within Hamlet, and ties in with all that you've mentioned. The afterlife (no one quite knows what lies beyond, as Hamlet put it "the undiscovered country blah blah whatever..") religion (I don't see that much religion within Hamlet, though).. etc.,</p>
<p>I don't think I answered your question, but ok..</p>