DRJ #2

This is my favorite act in Hamlet, because the way he acts around his peers and also just his seemingly insane mindset throughout. You could argue that Hamlet has lost his mind to grief or rage or what not, but I think he's much too smart and controlled for that. At one point he says the he is "mad north-north west, when the wind is southerly i know a hawk from a handsaw". Basically Hamlet is only "crazy" when its advantages to him. Its difficult to predict what the next move of a mad man is, and conspiracy to murder is pretty risky business. Still though I dont think even Hamlet knows his next move. I like the contrasted with Hamlet and Laertes. Both have lost their fathers and had their uncles inherit the throne, but Hamlet is very indecisive and Laertes knows exactly what he wants to do. I think seeing Laertes conviction probably had a significant impact on Hamlet.

In this act Hamlet is often distracted by Ophelia and the conversation they have reveals a lot about who she is. Its clear that her father has some very heavy influence over her. Its brought out in the conversation with Polonius that she broke up with Hamlet after her father told her too. We also get to see Hamlets madness from another perspective which is interesting. This makes Hamlet seem more revealed to Polonius because I think he believes Hamlets recent dip into insanity is due to the loss of Ophelia, which may have a play in it, but I think Hamlet has bigger fish to fry. Ophelias concerns of Hamlet eventually lead to the idea of Hamlets friends spying on them, so this conversation really help add developments to the play.

I dont think the theme her was betrayal or dishonesty, but more investigatory and political. Everyone wants to know what Hamlet is really thinking but its not as easy as just walking up and asking him. Hamlets friends begin spying on him by order of the queen. Claudius is dealing with all kinds of threats. The King of Norway has his army freely wandering Denmark and Hamlet is going crazy. Claudius focuses most of his attention on Hamlet who is capable of defending his nation. Clausius sees Hamlet as an internal threat that needs to be dealt with.