Hamlet #6

                In Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Hamlet continues to be isolated from society throughout the final acts of the play. In Act 3, Scene 4, Hamlet talks to Gertrude. During the conversation Hamlet ends up killing Polonius because Hamlet thought Polonius was Claudius. Gertrude is understandably shaken by Hamlet’s violent outburst, and she must also be afraid that Hamlet is going to kill her as well. However, Gertrude attempts to hide her fear by agreeing with Hamlet. Hamlet reprimands Gertrude on her behavior since Laertes died, and Gertrude responds, “Thou turn’st my eyes into my <very> soul” (III.iv.100). Hamlet believes he is having a major breakthrough with Gertrude, but the queen is simply pretending to be on Hamlet’s side in order to save herself. Once Hamlet starts talking to the ghost, Gertrude is certain that Hamlet is crazy since Gertrude cannot see the ghost. In the next act, Gertrude describes Hamlet to Claudius: “Mad as the sea and wind when both contend / Which is the mightier” (IV.i.7-8). Just when Hamlet begins to believe he is beginning to get a grasp on society again, Hamlet ends up being mistaken by a madman due to his interaction with the ghost and his violent actions. Even Hamlet’s own mother has lost all hope for her son’s sanity. All in all, Hamlet continues to appear crazier, and thus Hamlet becomes more and more isolated from the world.