Explore the ways in which Shakespeare presents Hamlets state of mind in this passage.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Explore the ways in which Shakespeare presents Hamlet's state of mind in this passage.

Shakespeare presents Hamlets state of mind as witty and rude. However as the audience we are aware that the passage is full of conflict due to Hamlet being burdened by the murder of his father. Hamlet shows bitterness towards Polonius for example when he calls him a 'fishmonger'. Hamlet's intention is offensive although the meaning is obscure. This shows Hamlet is being harsh towards Polonius due to his burdened state of mind. This also shows the vulnerability and weakness Hamlet is feeling.

The play uses dramatic convention when Polonius speaks aside. He turns to the audience in order to speak to the audience, he usually does this to reply to Hamlets rude remarks. But he does this without speaking directly to hamlet. This is a dramatic effect showing how Hamlet has a higher authority. However this contrasts with the weakness of Hamlet mentally. On line 181 hamlet says 'for if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a good kissing carrion - have you a daughter?' The metaphor is used to describe Claudius as feeding on the old King Hamlets throne.