Hamlet 17
Hamlet 17HAMLET
1. As the play opens, Hamlet is troubled by the turn of events following his father's death. It seems (and later becomes apparent), that Hamlet's upset is caused more by the remarriage of his mother and her love and devotion towards Claudius so soon after King Hamlet's death, than by simple mourning of his fathers passing. This is shown in lines 147-162 "Why she would hang on him / As if increase of appetite had grown / By what it fed on. And yet, within a month / (Let me not think on't; frailty, thy name is woman!)…She married, O, most wicked speed, to post / With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!" [Act I, Scene II, Ll.147-162]
2. Hamlet seems melancholic and satirical at the beginning of the play. When Hamlet appears in Act I, Scene II, his first words are "A little more than kin and less than kind." [Act I, Scene II, L. 67] in response to Claudius addressing him as both his nephew and son. The King (Claudius) then asks Hamlet "How is it that the clouds still hang on you?" [Act I, Scene II, L. 68] and Hamlet puns in response once again, saying "Not so my lord; I am too much in the sun." [Act I, Scene II, L. 69]. In both of these quotes (L. 67 & 69) Hamlet shows a depressed detachment and an obvious satirical mood. In lines 79-89 of the same scene, Hamlet opens up a little more to his mother after she asks him why it is that he "seems" so distressed/depressed by his father death, explaining to him "All that lives must die." [Act I, Scene II, L. 74]. In response to his mothers question Hamlet explains that he does not act his depression, and he is still truly grieving, saying "I have that within which passes show, / These but the trappings and the suits of woe." [Act I, Scene II, Ll. 88-89]. Then, near the end of the scene, Hamlet delivers a soliloquy - giving the most vivid picture of his mood in the beginning of the play. In the soliloquy, Hamlet laments his religion's "canon 'gainst self-slaughter" [Act I, Scene II, L. 136] and curses the world and his mother (for her marriage to Claudius) as well, exposing his deep depression in full.
3. In Act I, Scene II, Claudius makes his first appearance. The impression of Claudius I received from this scene was one of a very "kingly" character. Claudius' opening speech addressing the royal court was very well controlled and evenly balanced (in my estimation) - and these qualities I assumed would be reflected in the King's person as well. Then, the swift synopsis and solution delivered by Claudius regarding the situation in Norway [Act I, Scene II, Ll. 17-38] drew Claudius out to also be a good, efficient statesman....
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