DRJ #3 Hamlet, Act III

This was the first part of the story when Hamlet really starts thinking about committing suicide. The third act brings out a lot of different sides of several of the main characters. When Hamlets circle begins to realize that he might actually be insane and not just in a weird funk they take drastic steps and declare to send Hamlet to England. A lot of bitterness comes out between characters in this act. Hamlet and Claudius trying to catch each others secrets and Hamlet confronts his mother. He also jumps around with his mood a lot. One moment being very controlled and then losing it completely, i think its a sign of his mental instability getting worse as the story progresses.

I think the most interesting character in this act was Hamlet. Hamlet kind of gets a sub conscience especially when he contemplates suicide, but he never says why he wants to kill himself. I liked when he says that everyone would commit suicide if they weren't unsure about the after life. What I found interesting about that speech is that Hamlet doesnt say I or me. Almost like he isnt expressing himself at all, but trying to get a deeper point across. People say things to each other but may really mean something completely different then what they literally said. In this instance Hamlet is doing that same thing (hiding his motive) but from himself.

I think part of the theme here was just peoples insanity. Hamlet at first could be argued that he was simply pretending to be crazy. But evidence in this act suggests that he may be more insane than sane. When a sane person wants to start acting insane, eventually he might actually believe he is losing his mind. Hamlets generally antisocial behavior starts to hurt him here. Basically to the point where hes friends want to banish him to England. Hamlet even psychs himself out of his own revenge plot. Possibly because he wants a more climactic revenge but also his mind is just all over the place. How would he be able to exact revenge on the king if he can barely stay focused on the thought for more than a few minutes. This act also brings in elements of God and the afterlife. Hamlet suddenly gets a need to take in some knowledge on the subject. Probably because he really is worried about his soul and the idea that hes going to commit murder and maybe kill himself.