Big I, Eye, Aye.

                Hamlet’s transformation is motivated by, as is the theme for the play, revenge. His external transformation is an act he must put on to put those around him off balance. To go about his plans of revenge without this cover of insanity would be too obvious to those around him. His internal transformation is also motivated by revenge, but in a different sense. This sense of urgent revenge is instilled in him first by his father’s ghost, as he shows Hamlet how he died and who did the deed. Hamlet then ‘knows’ that it is only he who can restore morality to the court and his family. Then, as he sees the troops of Fortinbras marching to die simply for love of their country, he realizes he must act passionately and forcefully for his family. This is the motivation for his internal change – to restore morality and justice to his family. To set right what his uncle and mother had done. His external transformation is then needed to suit his internal transformation.

                 His transformations are quite convincing. His speech, manner and actions are very strange and erratic. It is met by confusion or despair by most. His speech becomes overly fluent and joking. In fact, everything seems to be an elaborate play on words. His manner and actions are staged, unexpected, and often violent in some direction. (Take for instance the scene with his mother, before murdering Polonius).

               His thoughts and feelings have changed drastically. They are dark, and tragic. He despairs having to make these decisions, but cannot find a way out of them and resigns himself to his task. He feels immense hatred for his uncle and mother. He can barely control his feelings for Ophelia (passionate love letters, walking into her room and staring at her, hateful speech in the hall). This part of the transformation is sad, and seems to be what Hamlet cannot control – what drives the rest of the transformation.

                Ophelia believes he has gone mad and despairs over the fact. His mother, uncle, and Polonius are unsure whether or not he is mad. They do not entirely believe it, but his changed manner is definitely noticed and pondered. In fact, Claudius decides to exile Hamlet, because he is getting too dangerous (and dangerously close to the truth). Horatio, knowing the whole story, knows that Hamlet is not mad. But he is a bit perturbed by this change in Hamlet also. The fact that even those close to him are perturbed by this external and internal transformation of Hamlet shows how very convincing his ‘act’ is. Even those who know him well are worried.

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