Gina Tangelo

5/1/17
English 10 Block A
Miriam Rock

Hamlet Act 1 Homework: Character Analysis

Character = Hamlet

Hamlet is the prince and the next in line for the throne after his uncle

Claudius. He is very diligent at his job and tries to be as involved as possible.

This can be seen in his interactions with the current king even though he is

rejected. He also tries to go back to school so he can learn more about the

world but the king says otherwise: we beseech you bend you to remain here

in the cheer and comfort of our eye, (1.2.115-116). People view him

negatively for some reason. For example, the king views Hamlet as a bit

childish and doesnt really care for Hamlets feeling at all and thinks he is

overthinking things. He also has a reputation to be a player and mess

around with girls. Polonius, a chief officer, and his son Laertes both warn

Ophelia to stop messing around with Hamlet and to not believe anything he

says because he doesnt mean it. Polonius gets mad at Ophelia for this too

and says: Do not believe his vows; for they are brokers (1.3.127). This is

saying that they dont think hes a good person and they dont think hes in a

good mind state. All he has done so far is cry and weep and complain about

how he doesnt like how quickly his mother married his uncle. Even after

hearing about his father death he hasnt made any death plans or anything

against his uncle.

1
 Hamlet doesnt have any feelings for being the prince but he doesnt

like how things are being run and doesnt like how things are being run in the

kingdom. He has no aspirations but is very much angry at his mother. He

states in a monologue to himself just how angry he is with how everything

has turned out: She married- O most wicker speed! (1.2.156). He also has

all these feelings bottled up inside of him but he cant say anything because

they look down upon him: But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue.

(1.2.159). Hamlet trusts Horatio and Marcellus since he trusts them not to

tell anyone about his encounters with the ghost of his father and why he

would start acting weird suddenly. He says to them: That you know aught of

me- this do swear, so grace and mercy at your most need help you.

(1.5.187-188). He doesnt even know his flaws that he sleeps around with

women even though this is looked down upon but he doesnt care about his

position anyway and just wants to be a boy. He doesnt care for the kingdom

or royalty since he isnt the king yet. He also is so mad at his mother and

uncle that he tends to talk badly about them behind their backs. He talks to

himself in Act 2 and has a full on rant session about the whole situation and

how it is turning his whole life around.