structure

T.S. Eliot's structure seems to be set up by thought process. He splits up each individual thought into a stanza rather than putting them all together. This helps the reader follow the thoughts more easily rather than be confused when he swithes topics.

hamlet's crazy yo

:Why can't Gertrude see the ghost even though he was her husband?

The ghost was never there. Hamlet made it up as all part of his front. He was pretending the ghost was there to take his mother's mind off of the things he said. The ghost would have more reason to show up in front of Gertrude rather than Hamlet. The ghost in the bedroom displays completely different characteristics than that of the first act. in Act 1 the ghost is eager to talk and stays around to explain himself. But this time the ghost 'shows up' makes an appearance to Hamlet, then leaves.

oppressed sight

There are a few differnt worldviews that hamlet is has forced upon him. First from the status his family has, Hamlet is pushed to be studious and proper. There is also presure to be normal as a prince can be, so as to not be a disgrace to the family. However with these his mother is also showing him that it is ok to follow your desires by marrying claudius. Hamlet successfully makes his own 'version" of these and doesnt follow them to a T. There must be enourmous pressure on him with his father's death and being a prince and all.

He knows he knows

I feel that Claudius knows that Hamlet is faking it. He does several differnt things to try to find out why Hamlet is crazy. I think that Claudius wants to expose Hamlet so that noone believes him and he can use his insanity as an excuse. He brings in Rosencrantz and Gildenstern to figure out what is up with Hamlet. He wants them to get a confession out of Hamlet or a reason as to why he is faking. I believe Claudius knows that Hamlet knows the truth about King Hamlet's murder. He also recognizes Hamlet's contempt for him, and sees this insanity as possibly a good excuse for Hamlet to do whatever he pleases. Hamlet tips of Claudius that he knows during the play when he is taking about the context of the play and says "Your majesty, and we that have free souls, it touches us not." Clearly a jab at the King, however the King simply cannot respond to it without affirming to Hamlet that he murdered. Claudius Now has to get the confession out of Hamlet before Hamlet gets his out of him.

questions

Why doesn't Claudis get up to leave earlier when they are acting out "him killing the king"?

Does anyone else find it suspicious he left to get some air?

Horatio

in Act1 scene 1 Horacio is shown as highly intelligent, resonable man. Marcellous specifically elects horacio to talk to the ghost, rather than himself. When King hamlet visits his son, and horatio is told of what happens I think Horatio is somewhat skeptical of Hamlet. WHile he has seen the ghost with his own eyes, I think he believes that Hamlet is just useing this as a reason to "get back" at Claudius. In Act 3 scene 2 Hamlet somewhat randomly expresses to Horatio his high regard to Horatio's mind. Horatio is starting to see Hamlet go crazy and isn't too thrilled about it. So far Horatio is trying to subtly distance himself from Hamlet.