Hamlet: Playing a Role
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date published 15/05/2008
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SummaryOne of the most prominent themes in “Hamlet” is acting. Its uses and abuses are constantly remarked on by Hamlet and other characters. Hamlet’s view of play-acting is a complicated one; sometimes he admires it, but at other times he is disillusioned with the fakery that playing demands. In this mood, he deplores the ease with which acting can be used to manipulate others. Admiration comes through when he thinks of the player’s tears for the non-existent Hecuba. He considers the actor to be able to turn his thoughts to concrete signs or actions, and wishes he was more like the actor. However, when others attempt to use acting to manipulate him, Hamlet sees acting as a cheap trick. This can be seen in his angry speech about Guildenstern attempting to “play upon” him.
Table of Contents- Rosencrantz remarks that in that case, the players will gain only a poor welcome.
- Hamlet goes on to imagine the distress the actor would show, while mocking himself because he has done nothing yet to avenge his father.
- Discretion, if taken to mean good judgment, is a trait Hamlet would have benefited from.
- Another aspect of playing and playmaking is that of manipulation. Hamlet hates to be played upon.
- It can even be argued that the ghostly king is playing upon Hamlet's filial affection.
- Without the references to playing and acting, 'Hamlet' would lose a good deal of its power.
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