... to find the reason of Hamlet's madness but are unsuccessful. In the interim, Hamlet goes to England. On the way he discovers the letter written by Claudius, sentencing him to death. He then replaces the letter, which now orders the execution of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, totally reversing the situation while they "make love" to the assignment of killing him. Polonius' death leads to that of Ophelia when she ... by poisoning the foil they plan to use in a joust between Hamlet and Laertes. The appearance of the two clowns 'in Act 5 Scene I provide a respite to the intense and somber mo...

• Word Count: 3059
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: High School

... habit of the mind." (Halliday. 217) The reason that there are so many critics is that there are just as many theories and speculations. Even in the twentieth century on could create or "discover" a new theory or criticism based on the play or it's characters. The character Hamlet, alone, has over two dozen critics from Quinn to Coleridge. Some critics come up with sane interpretations of Hamlet while others use wild ... . . . breed . . ." A fishmonger being a honest tradesman would prove mad for Hamlet to say to Polonius. But in the sense related above, it makes perfect sense. Besides m...

• Word Count: 2932
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School