The Duplicitous Nature of Hamlet
The Duplicitous Nature of Hamlet
In William Shakespeare's,’ Hamlet,’ the protagonist exhibits a puzzling, duplicitous nature. Hamlet contradicts himself throughout the play as he attempts to deal with his internal conflicts. He endorses both the virtues of acting a role and that of being true to one's self. He supports both of these conflicting endorsements with his actions. This ambiguity is demonstrated by his alleged madness, for he does behave madly, only to become perfectly calm and rational an instant later. These inconsistencies are related with the internal dilemmas he faces.
He struggles with the issue of revenging his father's death, vowing to kill Claudius and then backing out, several times. Hamlet stammers through the play continually hesitating. The reason for this teetering is directly related to his inability to form a solid opinion about role he is playing. This difficulty is not present, however, at the start of the play. In the first act, Hamlet appears to be very straightforward in his actions and internally. When questioned by Gertrude about his melancholy appearance, Hamlet says, "Seems, madam? Nay it is. I know not 'seems (Bald, 8).” This is to say, "I am what I appear to be." Later In Act I, Hamlet makes a clear statement about his mental state when he commits himself to avenge his father’s death. This statement in the play is the turning point. This shift consists of Hamlet giving up the role of a student and a mourning son. Hamlet says, "I'll wipe away all trivial fond records, All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past, That youth and observation copied there, And thy commandment all alone shall live Within the book and volume of my brain (Bald, 23).” Hamlet is declaring that he will be committed to nothing else but the revenge of his father's death. There is no confusion about Hamlet's character. He has said earlier that he is what he appears to be, and there is no reason to doubt it. In the next act, however, Hamlet's mental state and intentions suddenly, and with out demonstrated reason, become mired in confusion.
When Hamlet appears again in act two, it seems that he has lost the conviction that was present earlier. He has yet to take up the part assigned...