12/3 Hamlet (#13b)

Hamlet’s Madness 1
Hamlet's madness appears to be out of his control a result of his circumstances and personality. After the first play by the actors, Hamlet is left alone and begins to talk to himself and bemoan the horrid situation he is in. He describes himself as a "rogue and peasant slave" and states that he is about to "unpack [his] heart with words, and fall a-cursing, like a vary drab, a scullion" (2446). This language is similar to one who is seriously depressed due to the hand life has dealt him. Hamlet was "prompted to [his] revenge by heaven and hell," showing his internal, moral obligation to fulfills his father's wish and be the "hand of God" that gives justice to his uncle (2446). Later, Hamlet talks to Ophelia about her love for Hamlet. Hamlet pushes her away, as he is indifferent, "proud, revengeful, ambitious; with more offenses at [his] beck than [he has] thoughts to put them in, imagination to give them shape, or time to act them in...[from his] crawling between heaven and hell" (2450). These thoughts that crowd Hamlet's mind are seemingly involuntarily from Hamlet's descriptions and only come from the job that the ghost gave him. Hamlet's character can be described as driven and determined, which also explain his "mad" actions.

Ophelia & Gertrude
Hamlet sees women, especially Ophelia and Gertrude, as prone to get into and breed trouble. When he is talking with Ophelia about their relationship, he tells her to go to a "nunnery, [since] why wouldst [she] be a breeder of sinner" (2449)? He mainly uses as his reference his mother, who was jointly responsible for the unrest of his father's ghost. His mother had married her husband's brother only a month after the king's death, which is seen in most people's eyes as a horrifying act.

Play within a Play
The play within a play is meant to make the current king aware of sins by replaying his actions back to him.