Even though it is presumed to be unintentional, "Shakespeare's portrayal of Hamlet closely follows contemporary ideas of the passion of melancholy. From the outset Hamlet is described as afflicted by the passion of sorrow. His mother begs him to cast his nighted colour off."6 She cannot begin to comprehend her son's emotional state and therefore takes it much more lightly than she should. Due to her inability to understand her son she resorts to pleading with Hamlet in hopes that she can change his outlook.
Gertrude's request is made because of her concern that Hamlet is seemingly taking King Hamlet's death to be seemingly out of the ordinary, and that his death has caused Hamlet to lose touch with his peers and even himself in a state of depression. Hamlet responds with .
Seems, madam? Nay, it is. I know not "seems". Tis not alone my inky cloak, {good} mother, Nor customary suits if solemn black, Nor windy suspiration of forced breath, No, nor the fruitful river in the eye, Nor the dejected havior of the visage, Together with all forms, moods, shapes' of grief, That can {denote} me truly. These indeed "seem," For they are actions that a man might play; But I have within which passes slow, These but the trappings and the suits of woe. (I. ii. 79-89).
Hamlet is revealing the depth of the loss he feels for his father.
