Hamlet: Acts 2-3 Analysis

Hamlet and Ophelia’s interactions in Act 2 and Act 3 contribute to the overall tragic plot by demonstrating Hamlet’s slow isolation away from the general public and his reckless behavior upon his discovery of his father’s murder. Hamlet’s isolation and recklessness thus in turn drives the tragic elements behind the plot as his destructive actions cause him and others around him to experience pain in the aftermath of King Hamlet’s murder. In Act 2, Ophelia’s description of Hamlet’s madness and descent from society demonstrate the worrying behavior he displays after he realizes the nature behind his father’s death. Additionally, in Act 3, Hamlet’s rage at Ophelia’s display of her love showcases his brewing contempt for Ophelia and what she represents. Ophelia is a young, upper-class woman who in Hamlet’s mind, reflects the very flaws of female existence: fragility and easy-to-obtain love. To clarify, Hamlet’s mother had married not a mere 2 months after her husband’s death. Her quick marriage to Claudius causes Hamlet great anguish as he continuously grieves the loss of his father and believes his mother was too quick to move on and attempt to replace the late King Hamlet. As such, Hamlet expels his anger unrighteously at Ophelia, calling her crude names and displaying great disdain for her affection. This displays the drama’s tragic plot as Hamlet’s anger translates into the drama’s theme of unjust karmic outcomes and pain. Ophelia is an undeserving recipient to Hamlet’s rage. She played no role in creating Hamlet’s current situation. Yet, Hamlet unrighteously lashes out at her because she approached him at a time when he was extremely emotionally vulnerable. Shakespeare uses Opehlia’s interactions with Hamlet to subtly hint at the novel’s tragic plot as he uses Hamlet’s unjust reactions to her to suggest that unjust consequences will occur as a result of karma throughout the play.

Like Ophelia’s strong bond with Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Hamlet’s close childhood friends. They share an immeasurable bond. Knowing their deep connection, Queen Gertrude and King Claudius commanded Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to visit Hamlet in order to find the origin behind his changed, erratic behavior. Hamlet is extremely suspicious of the two’s arrival, not believing their explanation that the only reason behind their visit was just to see him. He constantly questions the reason behind Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s visit, even stating that “he has an eye on [them],” further exacerbating his transition from grief to apprehensiveness. Hamlet’s suspicion arises from his naturally skeptical personality as well as his guarded demeanor from discovering his father’s ghost and the cause of his death. Like Hamlet’s relationship with Ophelia, Hamlet’s discovery of his father’s murder caused great strain in his relationships with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Instead of choosing to believe their words and intentions, Hamlet now feels as if there is a divide between him and his friends, culminating from his distrust of his family, Queen Gertrude and King Claudius. Hamlet’s distrust originates from his discovery of the nature behind his father’s death, his uncle’s murderous hand. Hamlet no longer strives to achieve close bonds with those he loves. Rather, he keeps his distance and lies in order to serve his father and enact his revenge. Like his interaction with Ophelia, Hamlet’s interactions with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are characterized by tension. Additionally, both interactions were spurred by external influences who tried to pry information out from Hamlet to discover the cause of his modified behavior.

Additionally, Hamlet’s current mental state in Acts 2 and 3 can be described as extremely fragile, despondent, and cynical. Hamlet feels extreme pressure as the son of the late King Hamlet. As the supposed future heir of Denmark, Hamlet is considerably affected by his father’s passing and feels responsible for honoring his legacy. Additionally, dealing with the grief of his father’s death, Hamlet lacks the proper resources to heal. His uncle’s betrayal in killing his father and his mother’s hasty marriage to his uncle contribute to the immense pressure he feels. Hamlet feels isolated and backstabbed by his family, individuals who are supposed to be the closest to his heart. As a result, this lack of familial support creates his fragile mental state. His relationship with his mother becomes increasingly strained throughout the play as he deals with the weight of his father’s murder and her disloyalty to him. As such, Hamlet becomes extremely cynical and wary of anyone who is close to him, reminded of his father’s death trusts his brother, and constantly questions the true intentions of anyone who comes close. Furthermore, Hamlet attempts to hide his own actions from individuals he trusts in order to uphold his father’s honor and avenge his death. Hamlet’s fragile, despondent, and cynical mental state adds to the overall tragic plot of the play as his sorrowful circumstances and depressed mentality reflect the nature of the play: tragic. Moreover, his dejected spirit amplifies the cataclysmic atmosphere of the play and shows Shakespeare’s intention in creating Hamlet’s skeptical, cynical character. 
Further, the play-within-the-play, The Mousetrap, is led by Hamlet and drastically changes his situation, leading him to reveal the cause of his erratic behavior to those around him. Hamlet cleverly sets up The Mousetrap to catch King Claudius’s betrayal and murder of his brother. In doing so, Hamlet sets off a chain of events that influences the action of the play and heightens the dramatic tension. Hamlet’s The Mousetrap concludes just as he wished it to, with Claudius becoming extremely upset at the play and what it hints at, his murder of the late King Hamlet. However, by showing King Claudius that he knows the truth behind his sudden rise to power, Hamlet proves that his behavior is not madness without reason. Rather, his concerning behavior is a result of the shocking discovery that his father was murdered by his uncle, which generated his desire for revenge in gaining back both of his parents’ honor, thus fueling his erratic tendencies. Consequently, by revealing his knowledge, Hamlet is a threat to Claudius’ throne. As such, Claudius commands Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to accompany him to England and allows Polonius to spy on his conversation with Queen Gertrude. This action greatly heightens the dramatic tension of the play as Hamlet thereby murders Polonius, causing immense chaos and confusion among the public and driving the building suspense of the plot. Although Polonius had only acted in his duty to the royal family, he was murdered by Hamlet in a fit of both rage and ill-timing. Before Hamlet had talked with Queen Gertrude, Hamlet was intensely contemplating whether or not to kill King Claudius. His judgment concluded that Claudius’ death would not lead to the most favorable outcome, a shameful afterlife full of repentance for him, and as such, Hamlet held off on murdering Claudius. However, although Hamlet decides not to kill Claudius, he still holds a considerable amount of pent-up anger towards him and his defilement of his family. This intense resentment unleashed itself when Hamlet realized that Polonius was spying on him, which resulted in his untimely death. Moreover, although Polonius and Gertrude did not play a part in the tragic outcome of King Hamlet and his son’s descent into despondency, they are equally guilty of taking no action to stop, or cushion, what occurred afterward. Hamlet’s diminished mental health and King Claudius’ marriage to Queen Gertrude could have been prevented if either Polonius or Gertrude had spoken up. In and of itself, Polonius and Gertrude are both guilty participants in the tragedy.

Conclusively, Hamlet refrains from murdering Claudius, despite the fact that he had the chance to, in Act 3, Scene 3 because of the circumstances at that time. When Hamlet discovers Claudius alone, he is greatly compelled to murder him in a fit of rage to avenge his father. However, after contemplating, Hamlet decides not to, stating that his revenge will not mean anything if he kills Claudius whilst he is attempting to repent for his sins. King Hamlet suffers greatly, even after dying. This is a consequence of Claudius murdering him out of the blue and in his sleep. Before King Hamlet has had the chance to properly atone for his sins, he is unjustly murdered, leading to much unfinished business and the entrapment of his soul in the living world. Hamlet feels substantial affection and loyalty to his father, his namesake. He was outraged at his murder and understood that in order to instill the same pain Claudius had given his father, he had to find the most opportune time to carry out his murder. Since the circumstances were not perfect to create the most sinful situation for Claudius’ soul, Hamlet held back from killing Claudius. Instead, Hamlet devises a plan to murder Claudius right when he is performing sinful acts such as sleeping after sex and drinks, or when he is bedding his mother. This is to trap Claudius in the same cycle of torment and pain in the afterlife, just as he did to King Hamlet, so as to create the perfect revenge for his father.

Works Cited

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine, Folger Shakespeare Library, 1992.