Critics Puzzle Endlessly Over the Reason for Hamlet's Cat and Mouse Game with Rosencrantz

Critics puzzle endlessly over the reason for Hamlet's cat and mouse game with Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Claudius over the whereabouts of Polonius' body. Hamlet's apparent madness is both amusing and disturbing. Hamlet is cruel and heartless. He seems to enjoy meting out his measure of torture. His perverse and cruel behavior wholly departs from the heroic figure Hamlet should be. In fact, Hamlet displays characteristics far from heroism in this scene. He exhibits, yet again, a fascination with and terror of death. Unready to face death himself, he imprisons himself more deeply in words and avoids having to kill Claudius. Having murdered Polonius, he has at least been active and need not push himself. Hamlet seems confused, terrified, conflicted; he is coming undone.

The courtiers assemble to learn of Polonius' death, and Claudius maps out the consequences for Hamlet's actions. Hamlet expounds on his worm's meat motif, a repetition of language that Shakespeare uses several times in the play, and that apparently preoccupies Hamlet's mind. The images are gross, troubling, and rife with Hamlet's biting satirical wit. In his rant about the physical realities of death, Hamlet explains is that the fact that all men feed the earth and are, therefore, worm's meat is the great equalizer. The King inquires after Polonius' whereabouts, and Hamlet answers that Polonius is at supper — not supping but rather being supped upon: "Your worm is your only emperor for diet. We fat all creatures else to fat us, and we fat ourselves for maggots. Your fat King and your lean beggar is but variable service — two dishes but to one table. That's the end."

The moral of his rambling is that, because a man may fish with a worm that has eaten the body of a king, and afterwards eat the fish he has caught, that man has, in essence, devoured a king. Thus, the king passes through the stomach of a beggar and only the worm reigns supreme. Even so, the worm, the king, and the beggar are equal now — they are all dead. Elaborately, Hamlet has called the King a worm.

Hamlet's horror and amusement over death underscore his ambivalence toward his duty. He will reiterate several more times his paradoxical will to die and fear of death before he finally commits his act of vengeance. Yet, he never fails to show his love for the feel of the words he prattles. He allows the words to linger on his tongue; he swills them around and savors them, even when seemingly out of his mind.

Claudius responds by banishing Hamlet to England, and Hamlet tells Claudius that he knows the King's purpose in sending him away. Claudius apparently misses or overlooks the warning and chooses instead to respond to Hamlet's insulting, "Farewell, Mother." Claudius corrects him, offering him an opportunity to apologize. Hamlet then completes the insult by explaining that because man and wife are of one flesh, Claudius is indeed Hamlet's mother. With this insult, Hamlet digs another barb into Claudius about the incest, which always weighs on Hamlet's mind. Claudius finally perceives the depth of the danger Hamlet poses and entreats Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to hurry him to England to get him out of the way. Although unknown to everyone but the audience, Claudius now sees that he must instruct the king of England to kill Hamlet. The lines between good and evil appear clearly now as the gray areas that have masked Claudius' dark purposes vanish. Claudius' evolution into the consummate villain is complete.

Act 4

Act 4 Scene 1

Gertrude informs Claudius of Polonius’s death and Claudius realises that it could have been him if he had been there (L13).
Claudius is more fearful that he will be blamed for Hamlets actions rather than showing emotion at the death of Polonius (L16-18).
Claudius shows his ability to act in ordering that Hamlet be sent away immediately (L29-30).

Act 4 Scene 2

Hamlet refuses to tell Rosencrantz and Guildenstern where the body is and accuses them of trying to please the king for their own aims (L15-L16)

Act 4 Scene 3

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern tell Claudius that Hamlet will not tell them where the body is.
Hamlet continues to feign madness when he enters giving riddles about the body of Polonius.
Hamlet informs the Claudius that if he cannot find Polonius he will soon smell him.
In the closing soliloquy Claudius says that the letter with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern calls for Hamlets death in England.

Act 4 Scene 4

On his way to the harbour Hamlet sees Fortinbras army and begins to compare himself to the character of Fortinbras.
Unlike Hamlet Fortinbras seems like a man of action and this plays on Hamlets guilt at having still not revenged his father’s death (L56->).

Act 4 Scene 5

The frailty of women is explored in this scene as we see that Ophelia has been driven mad by her father’s death and Hamlet’s rejection of her. She enters singing to the king and queen.
Gertrude feels that the turn of events is leading to serious event of misfortune (L17-L18).
We find that Laertes has returned to seek vengeance for his father’s murder. Laertes entrance gives the idea that not all the Danish people are happy with Claudius’s reign as they call for Laertes to be king (L106-L108).
Claudius lets Laertes have his say in order to calm him down. He tells Gertrude to stand back as he is God’s representative on earth and will not be harmed (L123). This is false as Claudius has the throne under false pretences and cannot pray so therefore he has no divine link at all.
We see a clear distinction between Laertes and Hamlet as Laertes with not let his conscience prevent him from having his revenge (L132).
Laertes is angered further when he witnesses his sister’s current state of mind.
Claudius manages to calm Laertes down by manipulating him.

Act 4 Scene 6

Hamlet has sent a letter to Horatio revealing what happened while at sea and telling of his immediate return.
Hamlet also asks Horatio to deliver letters to Claudius.

Act 4 Scene 7

Claudius reveals that he did not kill Hamlet for fear of the public reaction to such an act.
The king reads the letter from Hamlet with Laertes.
The king asks Laertes to trust him and Laertes agrees. Claudius tells us he will have a plan to kill Hamlet that will leave no blame on Laertes and himself (L66).
Claudius reveals that a few months ago Hamlet heard of Laertes skill with a rapier and became envious with the description. Hamlet had wished he could meet Laertes to test the skill (L103-L105).
Claudius plays on Laertes emotions by asking him if he loved his father enough to act.
Claudius tells Laertes of his plan to hold a mock duel but that Laertes will have the tip of his rapier dipped in poison. If this fails Claudius will use poisoned wine.
Gertrude enters to tell of Ophelia’s death. While the death seems accidental there are hints at suicide.
Laertes is upset but in his grief shows again how the female is considered weak of character (L198-L199).
Claudius continues to show his devious nature by lying to Gertrude about how he dealt with Laertes.

Claudius Character Analysis

Claudius

N.B. In Shakespearean times the King was thought to be God’s representative on earth. To kill a King was to commit a direct act against God himself.

In the beginning:

Claudius presents all the positive traits of the perfect King in the performing of his duties,
He dispatches with the Fortinbras issues in a diplomatic way.
He is clear to point out to his ambassadors to Norway that they are limited in their bargaining power.
Claudius makes us believe he understands his people in their grief and their merriment.
He shows he is anxious to please those around him in his dealings with Laertes
Most importantly he seems anxious to please Hamlet “You are the most immediate to our throne” and “a loving and fair reply”.

Development

Claudius shows himself to be a murderer, manipulator and selfish,
Claudius has murdered his brother and taken his wife as his own “The serpent that did sting thy father’s life / Now wears his crown”.
He skilfully manipulates Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet from him “dear Rosencrantz” and “gentle Guildenstern”.
He also manipulates an angry Laertes to help plot the death of Hamlet, allowing him to vent his anger, blaming Hamlet on Polonius death and questioning his loyalties to his father.
Unmoved by the death of Polonius and Ophelia.
Makes a half hearted attempt to stop Gertrude from drinking the poison.

In the end:

Claudius dies at the hands of Hamlet.

Humanising factor:

Claudius is aware of his crimes:
Claudius shows clear signs of guilt in his reaction to “The Mousetrap”.
In the prayer scene Claudius shows guilt and remorse at the murderous act he has committed “O! my offence is rank it smells to heaven” “It hath the primal eldest curse upon’t”.

Parallels in Hamlet

In Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the importance of characters Laertes and Fortinbras have been an issue that's discussed and analyzed by many literary critics. Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras are parallel characters in the play. Laertes and Fortinbras are often use by Shakespeare to compare the actions and emotions of Hamlet throughout the play. "They are also important in Hamlet as they are imperative to the plot of the play and the final resolution" (Nardo, 88). Shakespeare placed these three men: Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras into similar circumstances, which is, to avenge for their fathers' deaths. The main difference between the three is the way that each of them comes to grief of their fathers' deaths and the way they planned their vengeance.

"Laertes is a mirror to Hamlet. Shakespeare has made them similar in many aspects to provide a greater base for comparison when avenging their respective fathers' deaths" (Nardo, 90). Both Hamlet and Laertes love Ophelia in different ways. Hamlet wishes Ophelia to become his wife, Laertes loves Ophelia as a sister. Hamlet is a scholar at Wittenberg; Laertes is also a scholar at France. Both were brought up under this royal family of Denmark. And both are admired for their swordsmenship. But most important of all, both of them loved and respected their fathers greatly, and showed great devotion when plotting to avenge their fathers' deaths.

Hamlet's response to the grief of his father is very different from Laertes. Laertes responded immediately to the death. He showed his anger to others, he didn't hide it inside. He is also suspicious, it's evident in his speech to Claudius, he asked, "How came he dead? I'll not be juggled with. / To hell, allegiance" (Act 4, 5: 130)! Hamlet however is very private with his grief. He mourned long and hard for the death of Old King Hamlet, even two months after his father's death, after his mother's wedding to Claudius. He is still observed by Claudius and Gertrude to be wearing “ . . . Suits of solemn black"
(Act 1, 2 : 78). Claudius and Gertrude noticed and commented on his unhappiness, however, Hamlet hides his feelings so well, it was not until his first soliloquy that we as audiences learned the depth of his suffering.

We see the same contrast between Laertes and Hamlet again when they avenge their fathers' deaths. Laertes again is fast to action, he wants immediate revenge for Polonius. His immediate actions are based in anger and emotions, and therefore, rash. Also because of his immediate want for revenge, Laertes is easily drawn into the manipulation of Claudius. Claudius manipulates him into becoming an ally to kill Hamlet. Laertes is confident with his abilities, he says “ . . . my revenge will come; only I'll be revenged / Most throughly for my father" (Act 4 5:135). Contrasting to Laertes' quick response, Hamlet procrastinates. Although, Hamlet wants to gain honor by avenging his father's death, he is doubting and undecided of his abilities to do what he promised to the Old King's Ghost. For two months Hamlet procrastinates, he agonizes over what he has to do, and how he's going to avenge the murder of his father. While Laertes acts on impulse.

However, despite the impulsive actions of Laertes in challenging of a duel with Hamlet, Laertes is without the cruelty and spitefulness of Hamlet. Hamlet not only wants to avenge his father's death, he wants Claudius to be eternally punished, just like the Old King Hamlet is tortured in hell. Therefore, Hamlet does not kill Claudius in the scene where Claudius is praying, when there is a chance Claudius might had a chance to confess all his sins. Laertes wants revenge, but he's not concerned with Punishment, he is concerned with physical and the present. Hamlet however, cares about Claudius' afterlife.

Hamlet and Laertes the two extremes of the act of revenge: Hamlet thinksreason before action. Laertes acts on impulsion and without reasoning. Revenge was the driving force behind both characters' actions and it led to their eventual down fall. Fortinbras is the son of Old Fortinbras, King of Norway, killed during the battle with King Hamlet. Through a "Seal'd compact" (Act 1, 1:89), the lands of Old Fortinbras were forfeited to Denmark. Fortinbras, being the son of the Old King, vows to avenge his father's death and reclaim the lands that were lost. Fortinbras shares similarities and differences with Hamlet, "Fortinbras is a scholar, a soldier, the man of procrastination and the man of reason and action" (Nardo, 101). From the way Fortinbras quickly gathers his army and his intent to attack Poland, “we can see that indeed he is an energetic vigorous leader with clear ambitions” (Nardo, 105). He is definitely a solider. Hamlet however, is referred to as a soldier not only by Fortinbras but also by Ophelia. But Hamlet seemed to me is much more a scholar than a soldier. Hamlet “has been at the University of Wittenberg,… and by training, such a man learns to analyze problems, and his responses are never automatic because his decisions come after contemplation rather than from impulse. Though Hamlet may be slow to make a decision, that decision will be based on reason” (Nardo, 64).

The last scene of the play demonstrates the true character of Fortinbras. As he arrives at Castle Elsinore, he quickly analyses the situation he finds then acts upon it. His action to avenge his father’s death was therefore, carefully analyzed and executed as he planned. Fortinbras’ ability to act upon reason and not emotion is one of the most significant differences he has with Hamlet. As I mentioned before, Hamlet and Laertes represent the extremes of action. Fortinbras therefore, is the midpoint of the two extremes; his ability to reason and the act upon the reason.

Bibliography:
Work Cited Nardo, Don. Readings on Hamlet, The Greenhaven Press, Inc., San Diego: 1999. William Shakespeare. Hamlet, Ed. G.R. Hibbard, Oxford University Press: 1987.