Hire's Hamlet Log 1:2

Act 1, scene 2

I’d like to comment on the relationship between Hamlet and his new dad, Claudius. The first words out of Hamlet’s mouth are derogatory towards King Claudius. We haven’t heard any hint of dislike about Claudius until now. Hamlet doesn’t respect their marriage at all. (not even 2 months dead…) He obsesses about his mother’s response to his father’s death. Lots of repetition here. He calls it incest and never directly responds to Claudius. He responds to (addresses) his mother, I think out of sadness alone. I think that Claudius isn’t giving Hamlet time enough to grieve. It’s only been a month and a half since his dad died and his mom already married his uncle! I think that Claudius is only strengthening Hamlet’s depression by acting like everything is normal. ( everyone’s dad dies…get over it). Seems like Claudius is really milking it too…I mean, he goes on and on about the circle of life and how it’s no big deal. Note: after this speech, Hamlet muses about wanting to be a part of the circle of life…the dead and decaying part. (1:2, lines 133-137).

I can just tell that Claudius is a sleeze from his first speech he gives in lines 1-38. He is so brief in explaining why he and Gertrude are married. He basically says that it’s a sad but happy time that they are getting married and that everyone should just accept it and move on because of the impending war with Fortinbras. He seems to compliment the late king to such an extent that it is almost forced. “our dear brother” (twice) and “our valiant brother” are examples of Claudius choosing his words carefully.

“A little more than kin and less than kind” Line 67 These are Hamlet’s first words about his uncle. And this is also the audience’s first whisper of a negative comment about the new king, Claudius. The audience could have listened to Claudius’s first speech and thought nothing wary or suspicious of him. Hamlet’s aside (secret) to the audience gives the audience a hint at his questionable nature. We also get Hamlet’s negative opinion on his mother’s marriage to his uncle. The KIN and KIND is a bit of Shakespearian word play. Hamlet does this a lot…I think it proves his intelligence…ability to manipulate language…he’s well educated. I think that it elevates Hamlet above Claudius…his ability to be sarcastic and identify with the audience.