Hamlet Act 1 Analysis

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In this essay, I will consider the significance of Hamlet’s Act III Scene I. Before this scene, King Claudius and Gertrude summon Hamlet’s friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to find out what has been troubling Hamlet. After Rosencrantz and Guildenstern leave, Polonius enters bringing news of Norway and claiming that Hamlet is madly in love with Polonius’ daughter, Ophelia. Polonius then suggests that he and Claudius spy on Hamlet and Ophelia to determine if Hamlet really is in love with her. By this point in the story, we have been introduced to all of the main characters, the themes of madness, revenge, and family, and the issues of what is causing Hamlet’s distress and if Hamlet will avenge his father’s death.
Act III Scene I is essential …show more content…

The scene develops Hamlet’s character by focusing on his morality and conscience. He becomes unsure of himself as he struggles to make his decision. Should he avenge his father and kill his uncle or kill himself and accept the penalty for his sin? Hamlet asks himself the famous question “To be or not to be,” while contemplating suicide, but he also considers, “ When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause,” meaning what happens in the afterlife? This shows that Hamlet’s character is being tested throughout this scene as he battles his internal conflict. In addition, Ophelia is also developed further. It is revealed, in this scene that Ophelia really did love Hamlet, but his sudden insane outburst frightened her. She believes that Hamlet has gone mad and she can no longer love him after he rejects her. She calls herself "most deject and wretched” after Hamlet spurns her and leaves her. Shakespeare also develops Ophelia’s character by having her report to her father, Polonius, and the king. This shows her desire to be a good, loyal citizen and daughter because she does everything her father asks, despite her own feelings or desires. These developments are significant because they play an important role in the plot of the story and lay the groundwork for ultimate outcome of each character individually. These developed character traits help the audience to better understand the characters and the decisions they will make in the

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