Posted by Allison Heimkes on October 30, 19101 at 06:35:07:

In Reply to: Hamlet's moodiness posted by Amanda on December 08, 1999 at 21:12:44:

: Why does Hamlet shift his focus so quickly from the end of Act 2 ("O what a rouge" soliloquy) to the beginning of Act 3 ("To be, or not to be")? It seems that he has resolved to find out the truth about Claudius in 2, but contemplates suicide yet again in 3. I don't understand the transition. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

My understanding has always been that Hamlet is either: a) crazy, which I don't think is true, or b) paranoid, which I think can be supported. While he has a mission to discover what Claudius is up to, he still has the overwhelming belief that his life is over and he has nothing to live for--think about it: None of his family members or friends really ever talks to him anymore unless they are trying to persuade him to believe some untruth. His father and ultimate role model was murdered and once he discovers what Claudius is up to, he knows his life's work will be complete. So in the attempt to discover what he believes to be wrong with Claudius, he realizes his own efforts and purpose will be over, so while disocvering the truth, he will be signing his own death warrant.

Of course, he could have just needed some prozac, but then we wouldn't have the joy of reading all those depressing verses!

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: : Why does Hamlet shift his focus so quickly from the end of Act 2 ("O what a rouge" soliloquy) to the beginning of Act 3 ("To be, or not to be")? It seems that he has resolved to find out the truth about Claudius in 2, but contemplates suicide yet again in 3. I don't understand the transition. Any help would be greatly appreciated! : My understanding has always been that Hamlet is either: a) crazy, which I don't think is true, or b) paranoid, which I think can be supported. While he has a mission to discover what Claudius is up to, he still has the overwhelming belief that his life is over and he has nothing to live for--think about it: None of his family members or friends really ever talks to him anymore unless they are trying to persuade him to believe some untruth. His father and ultimate role model was murdered and once he discovers what Claudius is up to, he knows his life's work will be complete. So in the attempt to discover what he believes to be wrong with Claudius, he realizes his own efforts and purpose will be over, so while disocvering the truth, he will be signing his own death warrant. : Of course, he could have just needed some prozac, but then we wouldn't have the joy of reading all those depressing verses!

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