From the first line Hamlet utters in Shakespeare’s eponymous play is an indication to the trickster that Hamlet will progressively become over the course of the play. The first time Hamlet is introduced, is by Claudius, when he introduces Hamlet as his son. Hamlet replies with “A little more than kin, and less than kind.” (Act I Scene ii 65). This line is a sassy response to Claudius referring to Hamlet as his son, and immediately gives us the impression that Hamlet is a little bit of a trickster, and has an attitude. It also immediately shows the tension between the two characters, and gives a good indication of who conflict might arise between, and the wit of each character. We learn here that Hamlet really has a good understanding of most situations, because he can recognize what is happening between Claudius and Gertie. Basically what I'm trying to say is he's not dumb, Hamlet has a very good understanding of what goes on.
Hamlet is a smart guy, and has previously been able to sense someone else watching him. Hamlet knew in Act II, that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were spying on him. He is very sharp and able to identify when he has been put in a trap. Hamlet says to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, “Were you not sent for?”(Act II Scene ii 270). Hamlet is able to identify that he is being spied on, and is able to eventually manipulate Rosencrantz and Guildenstern into telling them why they were sent (they were sent to see if he really is mad). Hamlet tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern "I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw." (Act II Scene ii 378-379). Hamlet is telling Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, that he knows when he is being watched, and he can tell if someone's a phony or not. Where we really see this progress further is in Act III, during Hamlet’s oh so famous ‘To Be or Not To Be’ speech. Prior to his soliloquy, Hamlet is asked by the same people who have previously led him into a trap, to make his way to the courtyard and spend some time there. Having been previously deceived by these two before, Hamlet knows he should be smart about any business with them, and should be expected to anticipate they will be disloyal.
Other obvious signs that Hamlet knows he is being watched are evident when Hamlet says “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,” (Act III Scene i 83). This statement could very well be a stab at his mother, or at Claudius, and their incestuous relationship. Hamlet seems to be explaining how he himself has become a coward, as he has also previously referred to himself as one during his soliloquy in Act II Scene ii. The accusation of cowering behind our conscience is one that Hamlet has been victim of, but this could also be Hamlet taking a stab at the relationship between Claudius and Gertrude. Hamlet does not just say this would make a coward of himself, but of “us all”, further proving his line might have further connection to another character and not just himself. It could very well mean that Claudius and Polonius are the real cowards, afraid of confrontation, or that Claudius and Gertie are the cowards, being afraid of admitting the murder.
Additionally, Hamlet also mentions the unknown things that lie in the afterlife. He says "But that the dread of something after death, The undiscover'd country..." (Act III Scene i 78-79). The thing about this line is that Hamlet partially knows what happens in the afterlife. He has an idea, and it isn't completely undiscovered to him. Having been visited on several occasions by the ghost of his own father, he knows what could happen to him when he dies. This isn't totally unknown, yet Hamlet mentions nothing about his fears of the afterlife, or his fears of ending up where his father is. The lack of expression on the subject that is the only thought occupying his mind (don't forget that Hamlet promised to erase his mind of all thought besides his father's wish) is very odd for someone who knew they were alone. But that's exactly it, Hamlet holds back from expressing his desires not to end up like his father because he does not want Claudius to overhear that Hamlet has had interactions with his (dead) father. Hamlet must've known that Claudius was watching him, because while spending time talking about the afterlife, he paid careful attention to not mention his father, and the suffering that he is in.
Finally, we can also use the knowledge from Oedipus Rex that someone who is blind can see, or sense things that others cannot. Now yes, Hamlet is not blind, but he had previously blinded his mind from any thoughts besides that of his fathers intentions. Allow me to explain. When Hamlet says "from the table of my memory I'll wipe away all trivial fond records,..." (Act I Scene V 98-99), he makes a promise to Claudius that from this moment forward, nothing besides the thought of revenge will be in his mind. Hamlet essentially promises that he will, dare I say, blind, himself from all other events around him, and focus on the plan for revenge on Claudius. This commitment may give Hamlet the ability to see things around him that he might not have otherwise noticed. I'm not talking spiritual powers here or any of that stuff, but what I'm saying is that Hamlet's mind would only be focused on revenge on Claudius, and would constantly be analyzing every action he makes, instead of having his mind on chicken nuggets or something. In this situation, I am certain that following the rules given in Oedipus Rex, or the film "The Village", the character who is blind, whether by choice or by physical disability, has the ability to sense things that someone who is easily distracted might not.
This being said, I think that it is completely obviously that Hamlet knows that he is being watched. Between his ability to understand complicated situations, his previous experience with Rozencrantz and Guildenstern's attempt at spying, his mid soliloquy stabs at the parties witnessing his speech, the lies he tells about the 'undiscovered afterlife', as well as the blindness Hamlet has given himself, it is crystal clear that Hamlet knows he is being watched.
This being said, I think that it is completely obviously that Hamlet knows that he is being watched. Between his ability to understand complicated situations, his previous experience with Rozencrantz and Guildenstern's attempt at spying, his mid soliloquy stabs at the parties witnessing his speech, the lies he tells about the 'undiscovered afterlife', as well as the blindness Hamlet has given himself, it is crystal clear that Hamlet knows he is being watched.
RE: Jessie
I totally understand where you're coming from, and I like that I can see the other side of the argument. You made some very convincing arguments, and though I am on the other side here, I do slightly agree. The only thing I would argue with you about is what you said that if Hamlet was acting, it would've taken away from the scene. I disagree with you because although he has previously stated he was unable to portray his emotions, he has become really fond of the players, and seems passionate about how they portray things. Hamlet even lectures the players before they perform, making sure they're not too subtle, or not too obvious. Hamlet is a man who knows what he wants, and I'm sure he would be able to deliver. Also remember that Hamlet has had a lot of time to think about how he feels in this situation. In Act I when he promises the ghost to have his mind only on this, it has probably become progressively overwhelming, and emotions he was not able to earlier express have probably surfaced, and might even be clawing away inside of him. I feel like Hamlet would be able to channel these emotions into something he would be proud of, as he has set the same expectations for his players.
Heidi Stricko
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