Activiy 1.7

Activity 1.7

Hamlet’s motivation for his transformations is mainly that of his desire to avenge his father, as the ghost asked him to. His anger from other people’s reactions and choices of what to do after King Hamlet’s death frustrate him, and madden him. When this madness it truly insane, or simply just anger is not clear. His seems to become harsher towards people, less forgiving and more bloodthirsty. His appearance seems to change less, however from seeing the ghost, he becomes pale, and his hair stands on end. The well known quote “you look like you’ve just seen a ghost!” fits into this very well.

Hamlet’s transformations are believed to be madness by all of those closest to him. Polonius believes that he has found the reason for his madness—not the fact that his father has died and his mother remarried so soon, but instead it’s that he’s deeply and madly in love with Ophelia. He’s concentrating completely on her, writing her poetry and love letters. Ophelia’s unsure reaction must be part of the cause as well. Ophelia herself seems a bit fearful of Hamlet’s transformations. She’s not comfortable with his maddened nature. She believes that he is mad in some way or another. Horatio may be the one person who does not believe Hamlet to be mad. He sticks by him through the whole changes that Hamlet makes, and seems to respect him quite a bit. In return, Hamlet also always shows Horatio more respect that other people close to him.
Gertrude does not like the transformations, and is worried that her son is truly going mad. She tries to find out what its wrong many ways, and always tries to talk with him about it. Hamlet however, pushes her away, and she is somewhat fearful of him because of it.