Hamlet takes fake madness to the next level (and by next, i mean like a make believe level that only insane people know about) by flashing Ophelia. But then, seeing as they slept together, why is she so shocked that he is acting in such a sexual manner? maybe he just wants a bit more, understandably. Along with this portrayal of madness, there is also a (in my opinion) brilliant portrayal of intelligence and cunning when he tells the actors to put on a play showing how he thinks his father's death happened, which happens just after the internationally-known "to be or not to be" speech.
Opinions on this speech vary about what he is actually contemplating, whether it is suicide or existence ... i don't have a real opinion, or any clarity about what he is talking about really... but he seems to be quite a developed, "deep" character
In my opinion, for someone who is suppose to be insane, his soliloquy is a bit too insightful and profound; this shows the audience yet another sign that he may just be faking insanity as a cunning plan to unveil King Claudius as the true killer of his father,
Hamlet also creates another plan to unveil King Claudius as a murderer by setting up a play showing what he believes happened when his father was murdered, and then tells Horatio to watch the King for a reaction that could only be caused by over-whelming guilt. At last, Hamlet is actually doing something, and it actually works; King Claudius hastily leaves, ending the play. He then creates a plan of retaliation with Polonius, deciding that Polonius will spy on Hamlet when he talks to the Queen. As Hamlet is on his way to speak to the Queen, he sees Claudius knelt down on the floor... perfect chance to kill him, no? No. He realises that he is praying, and thinks that if he is killed during prayer, he will go straight to heaven: Hamlet thinks this is unfair because firstly, he doesn't deserve to go to heaven after the antics he's been up to, and secondly, why should he go to heaven while King Hamlet is stuck in limbo?
However, it turns out the Claudius doesn't think his prayers are being heard, and that he won't get into heaven. Basically, if Hamlet wasn't so cowardly and indecisive, he could have avenged his fathers death long ago. Simple.
Is his famous sololiquy part of his problem i.e he thinks too much rather than gets on and does things? Remember to highlight the moments when the tragedy develops and show what aspects of tragedy are present in each scene.
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