To Be Aware Or Not To Be

Throughout the play thus far, Hamlet has been identified as a brilliant trickster who toys with others’ emotions and perspectives. This observation can be further supported by Hamlet’s words in the last couple lines of the first Act. He says, “How strange or odd some’er I bear myself- As I perchance hereafter shall think meet To put an antic disposition on-” (I.v.178-80). From this point onwards, it is very clear that Hamlet has every intention of manipulating others and outwitting them with his intelligence. This is why I believe Hamlet knew that both Claudius and Polonius were listening to him while he spoke to ‘himself’.

From the beginning, Hamlet has been scheming against the King and is undoubtedly vastly more imaginative than Claudius. Hamlet had planned to act crazy in front of the others and there is no possible way he could have failed to assume the others would plot back against him. He surely would have known this was a set-up, especially if it were executed by the not-so-rational Polonius. Furthermore, it is curious that Hamlet would absent-mindedly enter the scene in Act 2 just as Polonius had finished explaining his plan to set up and spy on the Prince. It is questionable that Hamlet could be ahead in the game. Perhaps he was just eavesdropping on Polonius’ and Claudius’ conversation himself. This theory’s proof is heightened when Hamlet just so happens to bring up Ophelia to Polonius in the beginning of their conversation. Hamlet asks, “For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a good kissing carrion- Have you a daughter?” (II.ii.181-82). It would be far too coincidental of Hamlet to bring up Ophelia out of the blue considering there is no evidence thus far in the play to support that Hamlet has feelings for Ophelia or even thinks about her regularly. Lastly, during Hamlet’s conversation with Ophelia, he is crazed and lacks the impression of sincerity. At first he says, “I did love you once” (III.i.115) but then directly afterwards, continues to say, “You should not have believed me; for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not” (III.i.117-19). Therefore, which of the two statements is true? Hamlet proceeds to ask Ophelia where her father is and when she replies that he is at home, Hamlet calls Polonius a fool and becomes extremely angry and genuinely crazed. It is evident at this moment, that he is either extremely suspicious or he is aware that Ophelia is lying to him. You cannot fool a trickster.

So, if Hamlet knew that he was being spied on, then what did his speech truly mean? In the dialogue, Hamlet did not once refer to himself. He was discussing the option of suicide but did not state that he wanted to die or the reasons for which he would want to commit. It was not a personal reflection, but more of a vague generalization which is why I believe he was acting for the King and Polonius. Hamlet suggests, “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all, And thus the native hue of resolution Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought” (III.i.83-5). This entire speech and quotation especially seem to be directed at the King. Hamlet is set on the fact that Claudius killed Hamlet Sr. which is why during his time of opportunity, the Prince engages in blunt, yet ambiguous comments towards the King. Again, he is trying to get inside the mind of the king and perhaps give off the idea that he may already know but then again, it could all just be a coincidence. Hamlet is always thinking and can never make a decision but listening to how his mind works is confusing enough to throw anyone off their game. If Claudius thinks that Hamlet knows about his doings, then Claudius will assuredly be put into a state of panic and disorientation. The rest of Hamlet’s conversation with Ophelia could have been an act directed towards Polonius to indirectly, but directly, tell him he is a pretentious idiot.

@ Abby Flett I agree with almost everything you've brought up and argued, especially your points explaining why Hamlet evidently knows he is being watched. We almost have all the same points which is totally coincidental, I swear (but not really because they're good points). But I definitely don't think Hamlet loves Ophelia anymore and I question if he ever did... He did write her a love letter but it could have been lust in the beginning (I don't know how long they've known each other). But I think now that he has realized that Polonius set him up, he has to know that Ophelia was ignoring him and telling her father about his actions etc. He was telling her to go to a nunnery (calling her a hoe) and trying to confuse her by saying one thing and then directly afterwards, saying something to conflict with what he just said! I think he is angry that Ophelia would betray him and lie to him and thinks of her as her thinks of Polonius at this point... Again, agreeing with what Jesse said previously! But awesome points :)