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What factors influence Hamlet’s state of mind in Acts 1 and 2, and how are these represented in the text?
Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” does not by any means, present a clearly defined state of mind for the protagonist. Acts 1 and 2 portray a number of factors that are effectively represented as influencing Hamlet’s emotional state and feelings. In this, much of his emotion resides in duality and negative aspects, such as melancholy, disillusion, madness and the motive of revenge, and his mental state is even unclear, as his pretence of madness is questionable to the audience. The prominent factors that lead Hamlet to these states of mind are the reaction and behaviour of Claudius and Gertrude to his father’s death, Horatio’s influence on Hamlet, and importantly, the talk with the ghost of his deceased father. ... These factors are essential in not only understanding Hamlet’s state of mind, but also how his state of mind is represented. ... Hamlet’s mind is “an unweeded garden that grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature, possess it merely. ...
Horatio is a minor factor, but still influences Hamlets state of mind.
Approximate Word count = 930
Approximate Pages = 3.7
(250 words per page double spaced)
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