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An analysis of act 1, scene 2 and 3 of william shakespeare's hamlet. It discusses claudius's justification for marrying gertrude immediately after king hamlet's death and the potential threat from young fortinbras. Additionally, it explores laertes's concern about hamlet and ophelia's relationship and polonius's skepticism towards hamlet's affection for ophelia.
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Act 1, Scene 2 of Hamlet opens with Claudius, Gertrude, Hamlet, and various courtiers entering. Claudius starts explaining why he and Gertrude have married immediately after the King's death. Don't forget that the King was Claudius's brother, Gertrude's husband, and Hamlet's father. The King's funeral has barely concluded by the time his brother has moved in on his wife and his kingdom. Claudius acknowledges that the marriage happened fast and that the kingdom should mourn: The memory be green, and that it us befitted To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom To be contracted in one brow of woe. But, he also says they have to think about the future. According to Claudius, quickly making his 'sometime sister' into his new wife was in the best interest of the kingdom. If the kingdom grieves for too long, then Young Fortinbras, the
prince of Norway, might think that they are vulnerable to attack. Claudius has written to Fortinbras's uncle to put a stop to any plans.
As Laertes prepares to head back to France, he and Ophelia talk about his trip and promise to write to each other, but Laertes quickly steers the conversation to the topic of Ophelia and Hamlet's relationship. Showing the concern of a thoughtful older brother, Laertes warns Ophelia not to take Hamlet's attention too seriously. Laertes tells her that a person of Hamlet's stature does not have the liberty to choose a mate, and reminds Ophelia that the welfare of a prince's country may depend upon that choice. Reciprocating Hamlet's affection, he adds, could damage her reputation. While Ophelia promises to take Laertes's counsel to heart, their conversation is interrupted by their father, Polonius, who is surprised to find Laertes still in residence. Once
Hamlet's father's) position; to the chagrin of many, he has also married his brother's widow, Gertrude. Claudius is a deceitful, corrupt, jealous, and controlling man—characteristics exhibited again and again throughout the play. Claudius carries himself well at the outset of the play; his nature is cordial and reserved as one might expect of well-bred royalty—but this feels forced, or "played." Little by little, we see Claudius's true nature: cold, calculating, and self-seeking, in contrast to Hamlet's gentle, introspective nature. By Dr. Sanjiv Kumar MLT College, Saharsa.