Henderson 1

Jason Henderson

Jewell

ERWC 12

03/17/22

Duality of Hamlet

Personalities are often changed based on who we talk to. From close friends, a boss, or

complete strangers we all decide to put on different masks to only show off certain parts of our

lives. Hamlet includes actions that set precedent for the events that take place in the play

intertwined within many characters. Claudius’s private, public, and spying actions all affect

Hamlet’s trajectory in Hamlet and all play an integral part in the story.

In the beginning of the play we are introduced to Claudius while he makes an address to

the public about the events that unfolded before Hamlet takes place. Claudius addresses the

kingdom in a specific way as to move quickly from the prior King’s death to other topics;

Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s death

The memory be green, and that it us befitted

To bear our hearts in grief, and our whole kingdom

To be contracted in one brow of woe. (1.2.1-4)

Claudius emphasizes the King’s death only in this short introduction to the kingdom. Hamlet

finds himself with little assistance after this speech is made as most of the kingdom accepts the

new king and heeds to his advice to quickly mourn the Old King. Young Hamlet is pressured to

take revenge for his father, left without allies leading him to create his alternate personality to

ensure that the kingdom would believe that he has gotten over the death of his father.
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Claudius’s private dialogue with Hamlet shows a different sort of pressure as Claudius

urges Hamlet to overcome his grief and to not look into the king's death. The first dialogue we

see between Hamlet and the King reveals some of the King’s true nature;

But you must know your father lost a father;

That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound

In filial obligation for some term

To do some obsequious sorrow. But to persever

In obstinate condolement is a course

Of impious stubbornness. ‘Tis unmanly grief. (1.2.92-97)

Claudius’s dialogue demonstrates his urge to get those around him focused on the future. Hamlet

proceeds to act differently towards Claudius in order to “follow” his orders and alters his

personality in front of his family and close friends to push them away in attempts to conceal his

true desires. Additionally, Claudius puts stress on religious ideas, this causes some issues for

Hamlet as he holds religion dear, calling him to ensure that the Old King will be avenged before

Claudius can repent for what he has done.

Claudius then decides to take action and spy on Hamlet to figure out what he is up to.

Claudius aids Polonius into determining what Hamlet’s behavioral change is caused by and

promises to spy on him;

At such a time I’ll loose my daughter to him.

[To the King.] Be you and I behind an arras then.

Mark the encounter. If he love her not,

And be not from his reason fall’n thereon,

Let me be no assistant for a state,

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But keep a farm and carters. (1.2.176-181)

Collusion between the King and Polonius leads Hamlet to be wary of his private conversations.

Hamlet is pushed to create an alternate “character” in which he acts delusional towards some of

the characters in the play pushing himself away from the King and his family. Claudius as a

character forces Hamlet to plan that he will avenge his fathers murder as Hamlet jumping

through hoops that Claudius is creating to obstruct Hamlet.

Private, public, and spying actions from Claudius influences the plot of Hamlet playing

an integral part to the story’s progression. Claudius’s character pressures Hamlet to reevaluate his

beliefs of religion and relationships: Additionally, Hamlet is tasked with avenging his father’s

ghost. Hamlet includes many examples of how characters interact with different personalities to

limit how much they reveal to each other.

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Works Cited

Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2012.

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Commentary Summary

What is commentary? What is a summary?

● Connecting a quote to your topic.
● Explaining main topics and how they
connect to your thesis.
● Analyzing the text and interpreting it.
● Connect dialogue to your subtopic and
main topic.
● Provides deeper context to the story.
● Provides insight and analysis of
characters, plot, interactions.
● Opinions based on evidence provided.
● Explanation of interactions between
characters and how the plot is
influenced.
● Time period and audience choices.
● Summary is a shortened version of a
story.
● Description of plot/happenings in
literature.
● Concise explanation of the plot.
● Key details of story or characters.
● Repeating in your own words.
Where does summary work?
● Introduction
● Leading in quotes.
● Context.
● Evidence