... both helpless depression and angry frustration to convey to the audience a tone of despair and misery in the young Prince of Denmark. At several different points in the soliloquy, Shakespeare underscores Hamlet's feelings of depression and helplessness to communicate to readers the overlying sense of dismay felt by the play's titular character. Opening with the words, "O, that this too, too sullied flesh ... Fearing a strict, punishing God, however, Hamlet cannot pursue this course of action, giving readers a picture of a disobedient little boy cowering from the hand of an angry father....

• Word Count: 548
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... presents himself to be arrogant, authoritative, as well as compassionate, as the new King of Denmark. The role of Claudius is known to be the most intriguing and crucial character in this tragedy. Claudius is the most controversial, the most mysterious and the most talked about character in this play. According to the quotation presented in The Prince, by Nicolo Machiavelli: "Every one sees what you appear to be ... subjects. Claudius shows respect for the old sovereign by speaking kind words of him. In reality he cares little for the old king, he speaks kindly only to give the appearan...

• Word Count: 692
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate