Hamlet

One of the most effective aspects of Hamlet is Shakespeare’s ability to place the audience within the mind of the reader. Throughout the play, Hamlet desperately attempts to piece together his father’s death. Although the ghost appears to Hamlet within the first act of play, Hamlet is not entirely convinced that Claudius murdered his father and, therefore, develops the play-within-a-play and other tests. Similarly, many scholars question whether Hamlet’s insanity is real, or feigned to conceal his plans to kill Claudius. As Hamlet grapples with the events surrounding his father’s death, this confusion is mirrored in the audience’s attempt to understand Hamlets actions and apparent madness.