Post by mmazzucco9 on Dec 8, 2011 21:14:48 GMT -5
On page 163 Claudius states that he wants to send Hamlet to England because he realizes that something is up. Claudius is aware of Hamlet's craziness and that he must be onto him because of the scene in the Mousetrap.
However, Claudius was already considering and wanting to send Hamlet to England before Claudius even saw the play. On page 135 Hamlet states, "Thus set it down: he shall with speed to England" (III.ii.183). Therefore Claudius was already going to ship Hamlet off due to his craziness especially as seen with Ophelia. So it seems as if Claudius was already aware of the fact that Hamlet was suspicious. As a result this could explain why Claudius did not react to the dumb show. Claudius may have already suspected that Hamlet was suspicious so he wasn't so surprised, or Claudius believed that Hamlet could have been suspicious but by no means aware of the method that Claudius murdered King Hamlet. So when Claudius witnessed the scene for the second he may have realized that Hamlet knew what he had happened and Claudius' fear that Hamlet fully understood was confirmed.
However, Claudius was already considering and wanting to send Hamlet to England before Claudius even saw the play. On page 135 Hamlet states, "Thus set it down: he shall with speed to England" (III.ii.183). Therefore Claudius was already going to ship Hamlet off due to his craziness especially as seen with Ophelia. So it seems as if Claudius was already aware of the fact that Hamlet was suspicious. As a result this could explain why Claudius did not react to the dumb show. Claudius may have already suspected that Hamlet was suspicious so he wasn't so surprised, or Claudius believed that Hamlet could have been suspicious but by no means aware of the method that Claudius murdered King Hamlet. So when Claudius witnessed the scene for the second he may have realized that Hamlet knew what he had happened and Claudius' fear that Hamlet fully understood was confirmed.