"Your worm is our only emperor for diet" (4.3.23) is an example of the sarcasm he displays whilst speaking to Claudius. ... Claudius exclaims, "Have you heard the argument? ... Hamlet then begins a formula of "revenge play" as the apparition of his father cries for retaliation on Claudius. ... Acting foolish is simply a disguise to obtain information to justify his acts of revenge. ... As eight out of the nine main characters pass away, such as Gertrude and Claudius, it is evident that Hamlet's speech foresighted the death of these characters, as they will all be ...

• Word Count: 685
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

He is displeased with the marriage of his uncle, Claudius, to his mother so soon after the death of his father. ... He ends this speech with "This above all: to thine own self be true" (1,3. 84). ... "Let come what comes, only I"ll be revenged/ Most thoroughly for my father" (4,5. 153-154). Laertes feels obligated and more then willing to seek revenge on his father's death. ... The story opens up with the possibility of a war and Claudius is sending ambassadors to negotiate and avoid a war...

• Word Count: 1201
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Hamlet's "Madness" Hamlet was the prince of Denmark, son of the assassinated King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude, and nephew to Claudius. ... These rapid and clumsy changes, from rational speech with those he trusts to irrational conversation with those whom he wishes to impress, are strong evidence of fraud. However, Hamlet knows he must act mad if he wants Claudius to believe him, so Hamlet uses his confrontations with Ophelia to display it. ... Not only has he not fooled Claudius, he has fooled poor Ophelia into believing he was mad, and she then takes her own life. ... The late King...

• Word Count: 1057
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School