analysis of hamlet

            
             In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, the protagonist exhibits a puzzling, duplicitous nature. Hamlet contradicts throughout the play. He supports both the virtues of acting a role and that of being true to one's self. He further supports both of these conflicting endorsements with his actions. This ambiguity is demonstrated by his alleged madness, for he does behave madly, only tome perfectly calm and rational an instant later. He struggles with the issue of revenging his father's death to kill Claudius and backing out, several times. The reason for this is directly related to his inability to form a solid opinion about role-playing. This difficulty is not present, however, at the start of the play.
             In the first act, Hamlet appears to be very straightforward in his actions and inner state. When questioned by Gertrude about his melancholy appearance, Hamlet says, " Seems, madam? Nay it is. I know not "seems."(1.2.76). This is to say, " I am what I appear to be." In Act 1, Hamlet makes a clear statement about his state when he commits himself to revenge. Hamlet is declaring that he will be committed to nothing else but the revenge of his father's death. There is no confusion about Hamlet's character. He has said earlier he is what he appears to be, and there is no reason to doubt it. In the next act, however, Hamlet's status and intentions suddenly, and with out demonstrated reason, become sink in confusion.
             After Hamlet backs out of killing Claudius, Hamlet says to his mother, "O shame, where is thy blush?" (3.4.72). He is voicing his distaste for Gertrude, not only for marrying his uncle, but also for not being true to herself. Hamlet believes that she should show some shame for her sins, but she does not. Hamlet is contradicting himself in this. He has been duplicitous and untrue for two thirds of the play. At this point, he still not sure as how he is to proceed. Hamlet caught in the middle of acting and objectivity.