Ere we were two days old at sea, a pirate of very warlike appointment gave us chase. Finding ourselves too slow of sail, we put on a compelled valour, and in the grapple I boarded them.
Act IV, Scene 6 · Hamlet
Context
Hamlet writes to Horatio describing his escape from the ship bound for England. He recounts how pirates attacked the vessel and he boarded their ship during the fight.
Analysis
The phrase 'compelled valour' reveals the paradox of Hamlet's action: courage forced by desperation rather than chosen freely. This forced bravery contrasts with his earlier paralysis at court, where he had full agency but couldn't act. The sudden physical decisiveness here—'I boarded them'—reads almost impulsive, as if only when trapped with no choice does Hamlet become the man of action he's been trying to be.
Essay Tip
Use this to argue that Hamlet can only act decisively when circumstances remove his ability to overthink—his 'compelled valour' at sea reveals that his inaction at Elsinore stems from having too much freedom, not too little.