Hamlet is a classic Shakespearean tragedy full of infamous quotes and notorious characters. This tragedy is well-known for the eloquent soliloquies Hamlet gives as well as other famous speeches by characters such as Polonius and Ophelia. Shakespeare’s dialogue is not the only reason his writings are successful, however. The plot Shakespeare skillfully unfolds is full of unexpected and twisted events. Overall Hamlet is a beautifully written piece of literature that has many interesting scenes. Three of my favorite scenes from Hamlet include the following: Act I, Scene 2; Act 3, Scene I; and Act V, Scene II.
The first scene I have selected as one of my favorites gives the reader a closer look at the characters’ personalities. In this scene, Hamlet is still deeply sorrowful for his father’s death meanwhile King Claudius and Queen Gertrude urge him to stop mourning. I find this scene interesting because Shakespeare depicts the king and queen very insensitively and selfishly: …show more content…
How is it that the clouds still hang on you? HAMLET. Not so my lord. I am too much in the sun. QUEEN. Good Hamlet, cast thy knighted color off, . . . (1.2.66-69)
This conversation provides insight on the hearts of these three characters. Shortly after Hamlet’s father’s death, Queen Gertrude marries her brother-in-law Claudius who becomes the new king. Claudius is the one who murdered Hamlet’s father but clearly shows no remorse while Gertrude seems joyful in her new marriage less than a month after her late husband’s death. This bizarre reaction is not what the reader would expect from Claudius and Gertrude and that is what I enjoy about this scene. The second scene I have selected is the most famous one out of the three because in includes Hamlet’s famous “to be or not to be” soliloquy. During this act, Hamlet is so depressed he contemplates suicide: HAMLET. To be or not to be, that is the