In both Hamlet and Emma, a reader can see a consistent theme on the importance of action and the methods used to determine what kind of action to take. In Hamlet, Hamlet is trapped on a pendulum of passion and reason; he hardly acts because he thinks too much, but when he does, it is thoughtless, rash, and impulsive. Emma Woodhouse is similar to Hamlet in this sense. Before committing many of her actions, like matchmaking, she puts a lot of thought into what she is going to do and the advice that she is going to give. However, she sometimes becomes blinded with emotion and commits impulsive, even cruel, actions. After Emma thoughtlessly insults Miss Bates at a picnic, she begins to become self-aware of her flaws. Austen writes, "She was vexed beyond what could have been expressed—almost beyond what she could conceal. Never had she felt so agitated, so mortified, grieved, at any circumstance in her life. She was most forcibly struck...How could she have been so brutal, so cruel to Miss Bates! How could she have exposed herself to such ill opinion in any one she valued!". Hamlet also expresses remorse for his rash actions and becomes self-aware after insulting Laertes at Ophelia's funeral, saying, "But I am very sorry, good Horatio, that to Laertes I forgot myself, for by the image of my cause I see the portraiture of his. I’ll court his favors". Despite this remorse, however, Hamlet doesn't get the opportunity that Emma does to ultimately transform into a better person, because he dies.
Another similarity about the theme of the importance of the course of action is consistent in both Emma and Hamlet. In both works, the reader can see that when a character acts on what they do not truly know, their actions miscarry. In Hamlet, when characters act on what they think they know, it proves to be a mistake. King Claudius thinks he can get away with the murder of Hamlet. Ophelia thinks that Hamlet's affections are honest. Polonius thinks that he can deceive Hamlet. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern think that they are doing what's right for Hamlet by listening to Claudius. Similarly in Emma, Emma makes similar errors in judgement. Emma makes the mistake in matchmaking Mr. Elton and Harriet simply because she believes Mr. Elton has feelings for Harriet when he actually likes Emma. She ends up greatly embarrassing both herself and Harriet. Austen writes, "The first error, and the worst, lay at her door. It was foolish, it was wrong, to take so active a part in bringing any two people together. It was adventuring too far, assuming too much, making light of what ought to be serious—a trick of what ought to be simple". When Emma acts on what she believes is true, like the characters in Hamlet, it only results in trouble for herself and those around her.
Another similarity about the theme of the importance of the course of action is consistent in both Emma and Hamlet. In both works, the reader can see that when a character acts on what they do not truly know, their actions miscarry. In Hamlet, when characters act on what they think they know, it proves to be a mistake. King Claudius thinks he can get away with the murder of Hamlet. Ophelia thinks that Hamlet's affections are honest. Polonius thinks that he can deceive Hamlet. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern think that they are doing what's right for Hamlet by listening to Claudius. Similarly in Emma, Emma makes similar errors in judgement. Emma makes the mistake in matchmaking Mr. Elton and Harriet simply because she believes Mr. Elton has feelings for Harriet when he actually likes Emma. She ends up greatly embarrassing both herself and Harriet. Austen writes, "The first error, and the worst, lay at her door. It was foolish, it was wrong, to take so active a part in bringing any two people together. It was adventuring too far, assuming too much, making light of what ought to be serious—a trick of what ought to be simple". When Emma acts on what she believes is true, like the characters in Hamlet, it only results in trouble for herself and those around her.