Hamlet-Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare - Essay Example

All these reasons reveal the strength in his personality reflected through his fairness, his patience and his beliefs in religious values. The seriousness of the ghost’s revelation urges Hamlet to be somewhat suspicious and strive to verify the foundation of this accusation. Even though Hamlet is strongly affected by the revelation about the murder of his father, he wisely decides not to let his anger dictate his moves. He states: “The Spirit that I have seen / May be the devil, and the devil hath power / T’ assume a pleasing shape” (Shakespeare 2.2. 1046).

His ability to doubt the truth around the ghost’s words and, therefore, give the benefit of doubt to his uncle demonstrates his fairness and much self-control. Instead of acting in anger and haste, he decides to find the evidence of the ghost’s claims by setting up a play representing the crime scene as the ghost told him: “I’ll have these players / play something like the murder of my father / Before mine uncle. I’ll observe his looks” (Shakespeare 2.2. 1046). Through this play, Hamlet becomes a detective watching carefully his uncle’s reaction to the performance. . 1034).

Indeed, Polonius recognizes some wisdom in Hamlet’s speech even though his philosophical reflections may seem senile to most. This so called madness makes both the King and Queen worried, which keeps away any suspicion until The Mousetrap provokes a deep anger in the King. Indeed, the play causes Claudius to question Hamlet’s madness and threaten to send him in exile: “I like him not, nor stands it safe with us / to let his madness range. Therefore prepare you / I your commission will forth with dispatch, / And he to England shall along with you” (Shakespeare 3.3.1060).

Even though The Mousetrap allows Hamlet to prove Claudius’ guilt, it also exposes Hamlet to exile, which further delays his revenge plans. Hamlet’s madness contributes to hide his plans of revenge but his so called love affair with Ophelia also plays a key role. This relationship draws much attention in the palace and is held responsible for his strange behavior. Talking to Ophelia, the Queen states: “And for your part, Ophelia, I do wish / That your good beauties be the happy cause / Of Hamlet’s wildness” (Shakespeare 3.1.1045).

This association between the love affair and Hamlet’s madness allows him to keep his secret even though he has not been able to accomplish his revenge. The consciousness of his uncle’s wickedness and his mother’s naivety incite him to take these cautions measures in order to protect himself. However, alert as always, Claudius questions his motives and becomes suspicious. He reflects: “Love? His affections do not that way tend; / Nor what he spake, though it lacked form a little, / Was not like madness” (Shakespeare 3.1.1048).

The denial of both Hamlet’s love and madness reveals Claudius’ nihilistic nature and shows the danger which