Introduction: Ophelia and Polonius converse about a recent interaction between Ophelia and Hamlet in which Hamlet has offended Ophelia.
Chosen Passage:
Ophelia:
Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced.
No hat upon his head, his stocking fouled,
Ungartered, and down-gyvèd to his ankle,
Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other,
And with a look so piteous in purport
As if he had been loosed out of hell
To speak of horrors-he comes before me.
Polonius:
Mad for thy love?
Ophelia:
My lord, I do not know,
But truly I do fear it. (2.1.88-2.1.97)
Analysis: During this scene, the reader can really connect to the fear of Hamlet Ophelia has acquired after this scene. Previously in the tragedy, Hamlet and Ophelia were flirting and cared greatly for each other. However, after Hamlet's death, he greatly changed and so did Ophelia's feelings for Hamlet. This is very important because it leads for a great reason for others to believe why Hamlet has gone "mad" even though he is just acting mad. Finally, this passage shows how well Hamlet is fooling others to think he is actually mad and he almost fools the reader because of his action in this scene.
Introduction: In an argument between Hamlet and Polonius, Hamlet insults both Polonius and Ophelia.
Chosen Passage:
Hamlet: For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a good kissing carrion-Have you a daughter?
Polonius: I have, my lord.
Hamlet: Let her not walk i' th' sun. Conception is a blessing, but, as your daughter may conceive, friend, look to't. (2.2.197-2.2.203)
Analysis: Before this part of the confrontation between Hamlet and Polonius, Hamlet calls Polonius a fishmonger. A fishmonger is a seller of fish, however it has negative connotations. One is that fish sellers lie about the freshness of the fish they sell so they are considered not truthful. Another way fishmonger can be slang is that it is used as a word for a one who uses females' sexuality for money and power. In this argument, because of this part of the passage, I am led to believe Hamlet is saying Polonius is a "pimp" and Ophelia is one of his prostitutes. This is because in these lines Hamlet says that his daughter is nothing but a an awful piece of flesh for the sun to hit and does not even deserve maggots. This selection is very important to Hamlet's character because it begins to show what Hamlet actually thinks of Ophelia to persuade the audience/reader that he is not truly mad and that the King and others are wrong about the reasons of his "lunacy."
Introduction: Hamlet is conversing with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern because they were sent by the queen to spy on Hamlet.
Chosen Passage:
Hamlet: Denmark's a prison.
Rosencrantz: Then is the world one.
Hamlet: A goodly one, in which there are many confines, wards, and dungeons, Denmakr being one o' th' worst.
Rosencrantz: We think not so, my lord.
Hamlet: Why, then, 'tis none to you, for there is nothing either good or bad but thinking so. To me, it is a prison. (2.2.262-2.2.270)
Analysis: In this selection, Hamlet explains to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern the way he sees his home without his father. After his father's death, Hamlet's world has been flipped upside down and he is unaware of how to overcome the pain and stress he is feeling. The circumstances that surround him, including his father's death, his mother's remarriage, and a broken relationship with Ophelia, Hamlet feels trapped mentally and physically in his home. Hamlet describes his home as a prison because he there is no escape from it and it is a dark and negative place. This passage expresses Hamlet's state of mind as of now.
Introduction: Once Hamlet is finally left alone, he can finally express his many feelings and his plan to the audience without any other character knowing.
Chosen Passage:
Hamlet: I'll have these players
Play something like the murder of my father
Before mine uncle. I'll observe his looks;
I'll tent him to the quick. If he do blench,
I know my course. The spirit that I have seen
May be a (devil,) and the (devil) hath power
T' assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps,
Out of my weakness and my melancholy,
As he is very potent with such spirits,
Abuses me to damn me. (2.2.623-2.2.632)
Analysis: In this final passage in the scene, Hamlet explains all of his thoughts about what has occurred in the tragedy thus far. Hamlet is very confused and hurt by all of events that are occurring and have already happened. However, Hamlet has created a plan to see if the ghost of his father is lying or is telling the truth about his murder. This is an important passage in this act because it allows Hamlet to speak to the audience and connect with them so they can understand his thought process and why he is struggling so much. This scene also shows how Hamlet is not actually insane and is faking it because of his literate thoughts in this passage also.
Modern Day Actor: HEATH LEDGER
Heath Ledger would play a perfect Hamlet because his performance in The Dark Knight also starring Christian Bale. Hamlet decides to protect himself by pretending to be insane and Heath Ledger played an insane clown that ran rampant in Gotham City causing havoc called "The Joker" in The Dark Knight. Since Heath knows how to play an insane person so well, he would be the perfect person to play Hamlet.
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