Thursday, February 12, 2009

Hamlet's "Madness"

In this episode, Ophelia recalls to her father what happened in her bedroom the day before. Hamlet came into her room half-dressed, dirty, and crazy-like. He said nothing, but sighed loudly and walked out staring at her. Ophelia is scared that he is mad in love with her and is obsessed. Polonius gets mad and goes to the King and Queen. He tells them what Ophelia said, but of course he makes it worse than is was. They order Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find out what is wrong by pretending to be nice to Hamlet, they are supposed to be his friends.

Polonius then talks with Hamlet. Hamlet pretends not to know who he is, mean while "inadvertanly" insulting Ophelia. This convinces Polonius that he is completely insane.

Some actors arrive to put on a show and Hamlet drops his crazy act for a little and intercepts them before they get to the castle. He tells them who he is and that he wants to adjust their play. He gives them lines that could incriminate the King. He starts to put his plan into play.

Hamlet realizes he is a coward through his meeting with the actors.
O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I! Is it not monstrous that this player here, but in a fiction, in a dream of passion, could force his soul so to his own conceit that from her working all his visage wanned, tears in his eyes, distraction in his aspect, a broken voice, and his whole function suiting with forms to his conceit? And all for nothing! For Hecuba!

What do you think Hamlet will do at the play? What do you think will happen when Claudius hears the new lines put in the play? Will he act normal, or will they make him uncomfortable?

2 comments:

  1. I think Hamlet will watch the King closely at the play to see what he does.

    I think Claudius will stay calm when he hears the new lines because he wont want to give himself up.

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  2. I think that at the play Claudius will be watched very closely by Hamlet. Hamlet will want to see his reaction to the new lines.

    I think Claudius will be very uncomfortable with the new lines, however, he will try to act as if it does not bother him so he will not give himself away.

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