Hamlet 1.1-1.3

Impressions of Hamlet, Claudius and Gertrude 

The first two scenes of Shakespeare’s Hamlet give the reader introductions to the three main characters; Hamlet, Claudius and Gertrude. The first member presented is Claudius. He opens Act 1 Scene 3 with an expression of grief over the recent passing of Hamlet’s father and then states that the memories of the late Hamlet are fresh in his mind but the soon-to-be family must still exist “together with remembrance of ourselves,” (Line 7). This allows him to segue into he and Gertrude’s recent engagement, calling it a “defeated joy,” (Line 10). Claudius seems genuine in his remorse but quickly disproves this with the expression of marriage. Claudius also is seemingly polite to staff and is greatly generous to Laertes. From his opening moments it seems this man is somewhat considerate and trustworthy. This assumption is instantly rebutted with Hamlet’s first line being an aside about how Hamlet refuses to be associated as his son. This presents Hamlet as a bitter and sarcastic character and places Claudius in a newly negative light. Later Claudius asks why “clouds…hang on you?” (Line 66) to Hamlet and the Prince is then introduced as a melancholy individual. Hamlet confirms this with a speech about how his appearance doesn’t nearly indicate the intensity of his sadness saying “all forms, moods, shapes of grief…denote me truly” (Line 82-83). Claudius’ response defines him as a harsh character claiming Hamlet’s clinging to grief as being “unmanly…incorrect to heaven,…impatient…and unschooled” (Line 94-97). Claudius does not tolerate his grief and even calls it a terrible weakness of Hamlets. 

Following this interaction the reader is given even more insight into Hamlet’s depression. He wishes that suicide was not illegal and calls his life “…an unweeded garden / that grows to seed” (Line 135-136). Hamlet also continues to negatively depict Claudius with the line “my uncle…no more like my father/Than I to Hercules.” Claudius is seen as foil to Hamlet Senior’s noble and strong constitution. In this line the reader also sees Hamlet’s sense of inadequacy in that he is far from being a Hercules of the world. 

Exposition on Hamlet continues to be provided in the following scene. Laertes calls Hamlet’s love for Ophelia “a violet in the youth of primy nature” (Line 7). To Laertes, Hamlet is nothing but an impulsive, lustful and hot-blooded youth who cannot love Ophelia properly. He also states that Hamlet’s choice in life “depends / The safety and health of this whole state” (Line 20-21) and he is totally bound to family obligations. 

The third main character, Gertrude, is seen less frequently in the first three scenes. Her first lines are asking Hamlet to lighten up and wear less dark clothes. She also asserts “Do not forever…/Seek for thy noble father in the dust” (Line 70-71). It is also known that she shares a bond with Hamlet. He only agrees to not leave for Wittenberg only when she asks and he only promises to obey her. Later he describes the loving relationship Gertrude had with his father and expresses shock over her quick grieving of him.