Discuss how the play within the play contributes to the development of action in ‘Hamlet’.

Answer

Discuss how the play within the play contributes to the development of action in “Hamlet.” [2020, 2015] ✪✪✪

William Shakespeare’s (1564–1616) “Hamlet,” written between 1599 and 1601, is a tragedy full of suspense, emotion, and psychological depth. The play within the play, which occurs in Act 3, Scene 2, is an important part of “Hamlet.” The name of this play is The Murder of Gonzago. Hamlet arranges this play to find out if King Claudius is truly guilty of murdering his father. This scene becomes a turning point in the story, as it changes Hamlet’s doubts into certainty and pushes the action toward tragedy.

Hamlet’s Idea to Use the Play: After meeting the ghost of his father, Prince Hamlet is in deep indecision. The ghost tells Hamlet that his brother, Claudius, killed him by pouring poison into his ear. But Hamlet is unsure whether the ghost is honest or a devil trying to trick him. He thinks:

“The spirit that I have seen may be a devil.”

He wants proof before taking revenge. Then the idea of the play comes to his mind when a group of traveling actors visits Elsinore. Hamlet decides to stage a play to confirm Claudius’s guilt. He says,

“The play’s the thing

Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.”

Hamlet plans that the play will closely copy the way his father was murdered. If Claudius reacts with guilt, Hamlet will know the truth. This clever plan shows Hamlet’s intelligence. So, this play within the play also gives a new direction to the story.

The Performance and Claudius’s Reaction: Claudius asks Hamlet what the play’s name is. Hamlet says the play’s name is The Mousetrap. When the performance begins, the royal court gathers to watch it. The play shows a scene where a man pours poison into the ear of a sleeping king. Claudius cannot bear to watch. He