Hamlet Reading #8 and #9

“Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil Free me so far in your most generous thoughts” (V. ii. 255-256).

            Hamlet illustrates a shift in his characterization as an insane person during the conversation with Laertes. Hamlet asks for forgiveness from Laertes and believes that it was not him that killed Polonius, but his madness. Hamlet does not take full responsibility for the murder, but he is able to think about how Laertes must be feeling. Before their exchange Hamlet seemed to only be consumed with himself and achieving his own goals. Later in the scene Claudius is cause of Gertrude’s death when she drinks out of the poisoned cup that was meant for Hamlet. Claudius has a surprising reaction to her impending death: “It is the poisoned cup. It is too late” (V. ii. 319). Claudius really just makes a statement and makes no real attempt to stop her from drinking the poisoned cup other than asking her not to. Claudius is supposed to be in love with Gertrude, yet he does not try to save her. It appears that Claudius was never in love with Gertrude, and he is just consumed by his power. If Claudius had strong feelings for Gertrude he would have jumped up and grabbed the cup from her hands, instead he just watches it happen! When she dies he does not even appear to be very upset about it, and any possibility of sympathy for Claudius from the audience disappears.