ASSIGNMENT:
CLASSICAL AND ELIZABETHAN DRAMAS
TOPIC: SUMMARY OF HAMLET, THEME'S OF
HAMLET, MADNESS OF HAMLET, PLAY WITHIN
PLAY
SUBMITTED TO: PROF. RAI ATIF
SALEEM TAHIR
SUBMITTED BY: SANA SAFDAR
SUBMISSION DATE: 30 OCTOBER, 2024.
ILM GROUP OF COLLEGES RENALA KHURD
AFFLIATED WITH: KHAWAJA FAREED
UNIVERSITY OF ENGEENRING AND
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RAHEEM YAAR
KHAN
THEMES IN HAMLET:
The themes in Hamlet are intricately woven and deeply resonate, exploring complex human
emotions and dilemmas. Here’s a detailed look at some of the central themes:
1. Revenge and Justice
Revenge is the play’s driving force, with Hamlet seeking justice for his father’s murder by
avenging Claudius. However, Hamlet’s contemplation on revenge is tinged with moral and
philosophical concerns, leading him to delay his actions. He struggles with the legitimacy and
implications of revenge, which he knows can corrupt the soul:
“The spirit that I have seen / May be the devil: and the devil hath
power / To assume a pleasing shape.”
Hamlet’s revenge plot parallels Laertes’ and Fortinbras’ own quests for vengeance, underscoring
the varying paths and consequences of pursuing revenge. Hamlet's moral introspection contrasts
with Laertes’ immediate, almost impulsive desire to kill Hamlet upon learning of his father
Polonius's death:
“I dare damnation. To this point I stand, / That both the worlds I give to negligence.”
2. Madness (Real and Feigned)
The theme of madness permeates Hamlet, both in Hamlet’s feigned madness and Ophelia’s real
descent into insanity. Hamlet’s supposed madness is a strategic facade to disarm others and
investigate Claudius, but it also serves as a mirror to his inner turmoil. His famous soliloquy, “To
be, or not to be: that is the question,” captures his existential angst and hints at a deeper, perhaps
genuine madness.
Ophelia’s madness, by contrast, is tragic and uncontrollable, stemming from her father’s death and
Hamlet’s rejection. Her madness reveals the powerlessness and vulnerability of women in a
patriarchal society, as well as the psychological toll of grief and betrayal.
3. Mortality and the Nature of Death
Hamlet is deeply preoccupied with death, a theme that recurs in his soliloquies and in the symbolic
imagery of the play, such as Yorick’s skull. Hamlet’s musings on death extend beyond mere
revenge to reflect a profound existential questioning about life’s purpose and the inevitability of
death:
“To die: to sleep; / No more; and by a sleep to say we end / The heart-ache and the thousand
natural shocks / That flesh is heir to.”
The graveyard scene starkly confronts mortality, as Hamlet reflects on the physical decay of both
the common and the powerful. This contemplation underscores the inevitability and impartiality of
death and invites questions about the meaning of life, power, and legacy.
4. Corruption and Decay
Denmark is portrayed as a “rotten” state, symbolizing the moral decay within the royal family and
the kingdom itself. Claudius’s ascension to the throne through murder embodies this corruption, as
does his ability to maintain his position through manipulation and deceit. The imagery of rot and
decay is frequent, highlighting the moral disease that has infected Denmark:
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”
Corruption also infects personal relationships, as we see Hamlet’s mistrust of others—particularly
his mother Gertrude, whom he scorns for marrying Claudius so soon after his father’s death. This
betrayal fuels Hamlet’s disdain for her and colors his view of women, encapsulated in his line,
“Frailty, thy name is woman.”
5. Appearance vs. Reality
Throughout Hamlet, characters grapple with the contrast between what seems to be and what
actually is. Hamlet’s “antic disposition” is a key example of this theme, as he pretends to be mad
to achieve his aims, blurring the line between reality and illusion. Claudius, too, presents a facade
of a just ruler, though he is a murderer.
This theme reflects the difficulty of discerning truth in a world filled with deception. Polonius, for
instance, spies on Hamlet, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet’s childhood friends, are
revealed as pawns of Claudius, complicating Hamlet’s sense of trust.
6. Gender and Misogyny
Hamlet portrays gender in a way that highlights the vulnerability of women within a male-
dominated society. Hamlet’s mistrust of women is projected onto Ophelia and Gertrude, whom he
sees as embodiments of weakness and betrayal. He condemns his mother’s swift remarriage to
Claudius, declaring, “Frailty, thy name is woman.”
Ophelia’s character exemplifies the limited agency of women; she is often a passive figure
influenced by her father, brother, and Hamlet. Her obedience to her father’s wishes and her descent
into madness symbolize the consequences of repression and control over women’s autonomy.
7. Action vs. Inaction
Hamlet’s delay in avenging his father’s death explores the theme of action versus inaction.
Hamlet’s overthinking and philosophical nature paralyze him, making him question the ethics and
consequences of his revenge. This tension manifests in Hamlet’s soliloquies, as he debates the
virtue of decisive action against the moral implications of murder.
The theme is mirrored in characters like Laertes, who acts impulsively, and Fortinbras, who pursues
his goals with decisiveness. Hamlet’s tragic flaw—his tendency to overthink—ultimately leads to
his downfall and highlights the cost of inaction.
8. The Nature of Truth and Knowledge
Hamlet’s quest to uncover the truth about his father’s death involves manipulation and deceit. This
theme is central as Hamlet, often questioning the validity of the ghost’s words, seeks a definitive
way to prove Claudius’s guilt. His strategy to use the play, “The Mousetrap,” reflects his
obsession with objective truth:
“The play’s the thing / Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.”
The play suggests that truth is elusive and layered, leaving characters in a state of confusion and
mistrust. It raises questions about how one can discern truth in a world filled with lies and
corruption.
In Summary
The themes in Hamlet delve deeply into existential questions, moral dilemmas, and the human
psyche, making it one of Shakespeare’s most philosophically rich tragedies. Through Hamlet’s
journey, Shakespeare offers a profound meditation on revenge, mortality, the human capacity for
self-deception, and the enduring search for meaning in a flawed world. Each theme interlocks,
creating a multi-layered narrative that resonates across time.
MADNESS OF HAMLET
The theme of madness in Hamlet is complex, serving as both a literal and metaphorical element that
drives the play’s narrative and explores the psyche of its characters. The notion of madness in
Hamlet can be examined in the context of Hamlet's feigned madness, his potential true
psychological unraveling, and Ophelia's tragic descent into actual madness. Here's an in-depth
analysis:
1. Hamlet’s Feigned Madness
Hamlet initially decides to pretend to be mad as a strategy to protect himself while investigating his
father’s murder and planning his revenge. His choice to act "mad" allows him to speak and behave
erratically without suspicion, as he says,
“I perchance hereafter shall think meet / To put an antic disposition on.
” This “antic disposition”
becomes his tool for probing the motives and honesty of others, especially Claudius.
Feigning madness gives Hamlet a way to express his anger and frustration without direct
confrontation. His interactions with Polonius are particularly notable for their absurdity and riddles,
with Hamlet calling Polonius a “fishmonger” and delivering nonsensical insults that only heighten
Polonius’s belief that he is truly mad. This performance allows Hamlet to deflect Polonius’s
attempts to spy on him.
Hamlet’s feigned madness can be seen as a form of liberation, giving him freedom to express his
darkest thoughts and criticize the hypocrisy and corruption he sees in the Danish court. However, it
also leads to the tragic alienation from Ophelia, whom he claims to have loved but ultimately hurts
through his erratic behavior and harsh words.
2. Blurred Line Between Feigned and Real Madness
As the play progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to determine if Hamlet's madness remains
entirely feigned or if he begins to truly lose his grip on reality. His intense self-reflection and
existential anguish lead him to question life, death, and his own purpose, encapsulated in the
famous soliloquy, “To be, or not to be: that is the question.” Here, he contemplates the pain of
life and the appeal of death, revealing his despair and potential descent into genuine melancholy.
Hamlet’s erratic actions and philosophical ruminations suggest that his mind may be unraveling
under the strain of his father’s death, his mother’s remarriage, and his isolation. His sense of
betrayal and his obsession with revenge create an emotional conflict that could be interpreted as
actual madness—a descent fueled by his inability to reconcile his moral conscience with his duty to
avenge his father.
3. Hamlet’s Soliloquies as Evidence of Internal Madness
Hamlet’s soliloquies offer insight into his inner mind, revealing a soul grappling with despair,
existential dread, and disillusionment. These speeches underscore his descent, as he contemplates
not only his revenge but also profound themes of mortality and futility. His words reveal a tortured
mind that is both deeply introspective and confused by the betrayal around him.
His speech in Act 2, Scene 2, often called the “What a piece of work is man” soliloquy, shows his
sense of nihilism:
“What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty… and yet, to me,
what is this quintessence of dust?”
This melancholic view of humanity reflects Hamlet’s inner emptiness, as he finds little meaning in
life or humanity.
4. Ophelia’s Genuine Madness
In contrast to Hamlet’s feigned madness, Ophelia’s madness is real and tragic, stemming from the
profound psychological impact of her father Polonius’s death and Hamlet’s rejection. Unlike
Hamlet, Ophelia has no control over her mental state, and her madness is marked by disordered
speech and a childlike return to innocence.
Her madness is expressed through her songs, which speak of death, lost love, and betrayal,
illustrating the turmoil within her. Unlike Hamlet’s calculated madness, Ophelia’s descent is
genuine and marked by sorrow and loss. The societal constraints on women also add to her tragedy;
her madness is an escape from the roles and limitations imposed on her.
Ophelia’s death, possibly a suicide, symbolizes the fatal consequences of repressed emotions and
the helplessness that women like her face in a patriarchal society. Hamlet’s madness, in contrast, is
something he wields as a tool, but Ophelia’s is a fate that overtakes her.
5. The Impact of Madness on Others
Hamlet’s and Ophelia’s madnesses affect those around them, disrupting the lives and thoughts of
nearly every character in the play. Polonius and Claudius are eager to diagnose Hamlet’s madness,
interpreting it as a sign of instability or weakness, which they can use to manipulate him. Polonius
attributes Hamlet’s madness to unrequited love for Ophelia, while Claudius suspects it might be a
threat to his reign.
Laertes, Ophelia’s brother, is deeply affected by her madness and death, and his own grief drives
him toward a vengeful madness. His anguish, combined with Claudius’s manipulation, turns him
into a weapon against Hamlet, illustrating how madness and grief can spread destructively.
Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother, remains torn between her duty to her son and her loyalty to Claudius.
She questions Hamlet’s mental state but ultimately becomes a victim of the madness and corruption
around her, particularly as Hamlet’s actions lead to her accidental poisoning.
6. Madness as a Commentary on Society
The theme of madness in Hamlet is often viewed as a reflection of the disordered state of Denmark
itself. Hamlet’s declaration that “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” suggests that the
kingdom is as “mad” as he is. The corruption at the heart of Denmark’s political power (Claudius’s
usurpation and fratricide) has disturbed the natural order, mirroring Hamlet’s own disturbed mental
state.
The play explores the idea that in a morally corrupt world, where lies and betrayal are the norm,
madness may be a natural or even sane response. Hamlet’s feigned madness, then, could be seen as
an honest response to the dishonesty around him, revealing the hypocrisy of a world that rewards
deception and punishes virtue.
7. Madness as a Path to Truth
Hamlet’s madness, whether feigned or real, enables him to speak truths that would otherwise be
unacceptable. By acting mad, he is able to criticize those around him, exposing their hypocrisy and
weaknesses. For instance, his interactions with Polonius allow him to mock Polonius’s sycophantic
nature, and through Ophelia, he questions the fickleness and vulnerability of women.
His mad outbursts also bring out hidden guilt in others, especially Claudius, whose reaction to “The
Mousetrap” confirms his culpability. Madness in Hamlet, therefore, serves as a form of liberation
and clarity, allowing Hamlet to strip away social conventions and confront the underlying
corruption around him.
In Summary: The madness in Hamlet serves as a multi-dimensional theme that explores
grief, isolation, existential questioning, and the impact of betrayal. Hamlet’s descent into feigned
madness blurs the line with true psychological distress, while Ophelia’s madness underscores the
consequences of vulnerability and societal expectations. Through madness, Shakespeare presents a
mirror to both individual and societal corruption, challenging the characters—and the audience—to
question the nature of truth, reality, and morality in a world gone awry.
PLAY WITHIN PLAY:
The play within the play in Hamlet, known as The Mousetrap, is a central device in Act 3, Scene 2,
where Hamlet stages a performance by a troupe of actors. Through this device, Shakespeare
examines themes of deception, guilt, and the search for truth, making it one of the most iconic
elements of the play. Here is an in-depth analysis of its function and significance:
1. Purpose of The Mousetrap
Hamlet stages The Mousetrap with a specific purpose: to confirm Claudius’s guilt. The ghost of
King Hamlet has revealed that Claudius murdered him, but Hamlet, cautious and morally
conflicted, needs concrete evidence. By staging a reenactment of the alleged murder, Hamlet hopes
to “catch the conscience of the king.” As he says,
“The play’s the thing / Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.”
The Mousetrap mirrors the exact method of King Hamlet’s murder—pouring poison in the ear of a
sleeping king—to observe Claudius’s reaction. Hamlet’s strategy reflects his awareness of
Claudius’s potential guilt and his desire to obtain a confession without directly accusing him.
2. Reflection of Reality and Deception
The play-within-the-play introduces the theme of appearance versus reality. In a world where
deception is rampant, The Mousetrap becomes a means for Hamlet to bring hidden truths to light.
By presenting a fiction that mirrors reality, Hamlet attempts to force Claudius to confront his own
crimes.
This device also emphasizes the performative nature of court life in Elsinore, where people
constantly mask their true intentions. Just as Hamlet pretends to be mad to uncover the truth, The
Mousetrap becomes another layer of performance within the larger deception at court.
3. Impact on Claudius
Claudius’s reaction to The Mousetrap is crucial. During the performance, he is visibly agitated,
standing up and demanding, “Give me some light. Away!” His reaction confirms his guilt to
Hamlet and serves as the first solid evidence that Claudius indeed murdered King Hamlet.
The play also psychologically impacts Claudius, as he is forced to confront the reality of his crime.
This reaction underscores the power of guilt and suggests that, despite his control over Denmark,
Claudius cannot escape his conscience. For Hamlet, Claudius’s response serves as a catalyst,
justifying his desire for revenge and affirming the truth of the ghost’s message.
4. Hamlet’s Commentary and Interaction
Throughout The Mousetrap, Hamlet’s behavior is provocative and almost confrontational. He
provides a running commentary during the play, directing his remarks to Gertrude and Ophelia. For
example, he says to Gertrude, “Madam, how like you this play?” His pointed comments and
questions increase the tension, hinting at the parallels between the actors’ performance and the
actual events in the Danish court.
Hamlet’s dialogue during the play is also filled with double meanings and innuendos. For instance,
when he says to Ophelia,
“That’s a fair thought to lie between maid’s legs,”
his playful language and apparent madness serve to distance himself emotionally from the
proceedings, but they also allow him to explore the darker, hidden tensions in the relationships
around him.
5. Theatrical Self-Reflection
The Mousetrap is also Shakespeare’s commentary on the power of theater itself. In Hamlet, the
play becomes a means of revealing hidden truths, showing how drama can hold a mirror up to
nature, as Hamlet instructs the players to
“hold, as ’twere, the mirror up to nature.”
Through this device, Shakespeare explores the idea that art can influence reality by exposing what
lies beneath the surface. The power of theater is displayed in how it can disturb even a powerful
king, suggesting that art holds the potential to reveal uncomfortable truths and evoke deep, often
suppressed, responses.
6. The Psychological Impact on Hamlet
The Mousetrap not only helps Hamlet test Claudius’s guilt, but it also serves as a release for his
own frustration and pent-up emotions. Through the play, Hamlet externalizes his anger and
suspicion, bringing his inner conflict into the open.
Yet, even after obtaining proof of Claudius’s guilt, Hamlet remains unable to act immediately,
reflecting his ongoing struggle with the morality of revenge and the weight of his conscience.
While The Mousetrap confirms Claudius’s crime, it complicates Hamlet’s dilemma by confronting
him with the question of whether he can carry out the necessary revenge.
7. Themes Reinforced by The Mousetrap
The play-within-the-play reinforces several key themes:
Guilt and Conscience:
Claudius’s reaction to the play reveals the power of guilt, demonstrating how conscience
can disrupt even the most composed villain.
Appearance vs. Reality:
The Mousetrap highlights the contrast between truth and illusion, showing how reality can
sometimes be more effectively revealed through fiction.
Justice and Revenge:
Hamlet’s use of The Mousetrap exemplifies his desire for justice while foreshadowing the
eventual act of revenge. However, it also emphasizes the difficulty of pursuing revenge in a
morally ambiguous situation.
The Nature of Performance and Art:
The play serves as a meta-theatrical reflection, with Shakespeare commenting on the
transformative and revelatory power of theater.
In Summary
The Mousetrap in Hamlet is a brilliant device that encapsulates Shakespeare’s exploration of truth,
guilt, and the power of performance. It serves Hamlet’s strategic need for confirmation of
Claudius’s guilt, allows him to expose the hypocrisy of the court, and creates a space where
performance becomes a means of revealing reality. By blurring the line between fiction and truth,
The Mousetrap reflects the complex layers of deception, conscience, and moral questioning that
define Hamlet, while underscoring Shakespeare’s belief in the revelatory potential of theater.
