Hamlet act 1

In act one of Shakespeare’s Hamlet we meet Hamlet and learn of the recently strange changes in his life. Hamlet’s father, the late King Hamlet, recently passed away leaving an empty thrown that has now been filled by Hamlets Uncle, now King Claudius. From this act I can already foresee Claudius having a very treacherous personality. I say this because naturally Hamlet is very distraught over the death of his father and so he shows his respects by mourning and wearing all black. Obviously Claudius isn’t too affected by the death of his brother because he asks why “the clouds still hang upon him”, as though it is strange that Hamlet is still upset. Hamlet’s excessive mourning also represents a strong, close relationship with his father. My feelings on Hamlets mother, Queen Gertrude, are also quite odd. To see how a woman who has just lost he husband can be remarried to his very own brother just weeks later. Also the Queen seems to abide by Claudius’ feelings on Hamlets mourning. It is quite puzzling to me how she fails to give any sympathy for her son or better yet, herself. The lack of sorrow and failure to sympathize with her son prove to me that Queen Gertrude is a very selfish woman. We also learn in this act that Hamlet will no longer be attending the Wittenberg school anymore. In my opinion going back to his school with his friends would do Hamlet more good then staying in the castle resenting his mother and uncle. In a monologue Hamlet describes his desire to die and grieves over his father’s death. I hope to learn more in the act to come and become more intrigued by the dramatics of this play.