Hamlet #4

                At the end of Act 2, Hamlet vows that he will “catch the conscience of the King” during the play (II.ii.633-634). Hamlet wants to determine whether or not the Claudius killed King Hamlet. There is nothing Hamlet hates more than people appearing to be something they are not, and Hamlet believes that Claudius is attempting to cover up the murder. Hamlet also believes that “the guilty creatures sitting at a play” cannot hide their emotions when faced with a play that mirrors the source of the guilt (II.ii.618). Hamlet realizes that the theater is a façade of real life, but Hamlet also realizes that the theater also directly connects to the audience and makes the audience react in a very pronounced way. A reaction from Claudius during the play will confirm Hamlet’s suspicions on whether or not Claudius killed King Hamlet. However, a reaction during a play is not enough proof to determine whether or not a person committed murder. Unfortunately, Hamlet is a moody, impulsive teenager who appears to be going mad. That madness will cause Hamlet to think irrationally, and Hamlet will most likely not be able to see that he does not have enough evidence to accuse Claudius of murder. All in all, Hamlet’s current instability will surely be a factor that drives the tragedy of the play.