How does Hamlet decide to catch the king’s conscience?
Hamlet is a notable literary work by William Shakespeare. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Hamlet.
Answer
How does Hamlet decide to catch the king’s conscience? or,
Play within a Play in Hamlet.
Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” written between 1599 and 1601, depicts Prince Hamlet and his attempts to exact revenge against his uncle, Claudius. Claudius murdered Hamlet’s father to seize his throne and marry Hamlet’s mother. In the play, the protagonist, Hamlet, decides to catch the king’s conscience by devising a plan centered around a play within the play.
Play Within A Play: Hamlet devises a plan to expose Claudius’s guilt through the play. The play mirrors the circumstances of his father’s murder, hoping that the guilt of Claudius will manifest itself in his reaction to the play.
The players arrive at Elsinore to perform “The Murder of Gonzago.” Hamlet changes some parts of the act to mirror the murder scene of his father. When Claudius asks Hamlet about the name of the play, Hamlet says that the play’s name is “The Mousetrap.” Hamlet thinks,
“The play’s the thing
Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.”
King’s Conscience: Hamlet believes that if Claudius is guilty, he will show signs of distress or agitation while watching the play, particularly during the reenactment of the murder scene. By observing Claudius’s reactions closely, Hamlet hopes to confirm his suspicions about Claudius’s involvement in his father’s death. Claudius’s reaction to the play confirms his guilt, as he storms out during the performance.
To wrap up, this plan reflects Hamlet’s cunning and desire to uncover the truth behind his father’s murder. The plan also shows Hamlet’s complex psychological state and his struggle with indecision and revenge.