Isolation In Hamlet

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In Act 2 of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlet’s remarks continually highlight his emotional and mental instability, which further adds aspects of anger and loneliness to his complex characterization due to his uncontrollable environment. “[The world is] a goodly one [prison], in which there are many confines, wards, and dungeons, Denmark being one o’ th’ worst,” (Act 2, Scene 2, Lines 264 - 266). At this point in the play, Hamlet is conversing with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, friends of Hamlet’s who were sent by King Claudius to spy on him. Upon their encounter, Hamlet feels comfortable enough to lament all of his recent troubles. This verbal exchange sparks concern in the two spies for their friend’s psychological state, but their comments lead Hamlet to suspicion in their motive for initially talking to him, which adds to his ongoing perception that the world around him is an evil place that seeks to destroy him. …show more content…

Hamlet’s feelings can be attributed to his struggle to cope with his new family dynamic and the horrid death of his beloved father. Hamlet’s new, frustrated personality has altered his outlook on Denmark into a convoluted place where goodness and truth no longer reside. “Yet I, a dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause, and can say nothing - no, not for a king upon whose property and most dear life a damned defeat was made,” (Act 2, Scene 2, Lines 593 - 598). These ideas shape Hamlet into a pessimistic individual who displays qualities devoid of

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