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In the play, the king is murdered by his brother, Claudius because he wishes to be the king. At the beginning of the play, Claudius says “But to persevere In obstinate condolement is a course Of impious stubbornness” (Act 1, Scene 2,  Line 94-95) to Hamlet while Hamlet states how he is still troubled by his father’s death. Claudius says this, meaning that it is ok to morn a lost one, but if you continue being sad that is just being stubborn. This shows that at the beginning of the play, Claudius is selfish. He does not care that Hamlet is in pain about his father dying. Claudius just cares for himself, which is why he says to Hamlet that he needs to look on the bright side of things, showing us that Claudius cares more about keeping his secret of him murdering the king hidden, rather than comfort Hamlet due to the fact that Claudius is obsessed with obtaining full power and control over the kingdom.  "Madness in great ones must not unwatched go." (Act 3, Scene 1, Line 203). When Claudius says this about Hamlet, this shows how Claudius goes from having more power than fear over Hamlet to worrying that Hamlet may expose the fact that he murdered the king. This shows character development because, in the beginning, Claudius decides not to care that Hamlet was upset because he did not see it as a threat, but now that he believes Hamlet was in contact with his dad, Claudius sees him as a threat. Therefore going out of his way to spy on him shows that Claudius now cares if Hamlet does anything that will affect his position as king. Claudius then feels guilty for murdering his brother, the king.  “Forgive me my foul murder.” (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 56). As Claudius confesses this, it shows how his behavior is changing because before, Claudius did not feel guilty for murdering his brother because he got the head of the thrown after, but now that he sees hamlet as a threat, this causes him to fear and realize that what he did was wrong, and begs for forgiveness. By Claudius begging, it shows how he becomes vulnerable and worried about his future at the kingdom, and feels like if he begs for forgiveness and makes god see the good in shy he murdered the king, all fear will disappear. When Claudius brings up the idea of killing Hamlet, this shows that Claudius is back to his old self. “To an exploit, now ripe in my devise, Under the which, he shall not choose but fall. And for his death, no wind of blame shall breathe” (Act 4, Scene  7, Line 61-64). This shows that he has become nasty and greedy and will once again do whatever he pleases if that makes him remain king. Claudius goes from being selfish to be scared of Hamlet, to guilty, back to greedy because he as harmed too much to get to become king, and he was not going to let Hamlet stop him now. Even though people adore Hamlet, Claudius still wanted to kill him because he saw him as a threat. By sending Hamlet to England, this shows that Claudius now completely fears, Hamlet. Claudius feels like Hamlet only killed Polonius because he thought he was Claudius himself, so now Claudius feels in danger. He fears that Hamlet will end his life, and even after Claudius has confessed about this to god, he does not feel like his life is worth ending now. Claudius changes and becomes a person who runs from fear. Also, I believe that Claudius becomes a bit selfish again due to the fact that he sends Hamlet all the way to England just to protect himself mostly. “Which we do tender as we dearly grieve For that which thou hast done—must send thee hence” (Act 4, Scene 3, Line 45-46). These quotes show that throughout the play, Claudius becomes ruined. By focusing so much on killing Hamlet to protect his secret from the kingdom, this causes him to end up dying because he ends up getting poisoned himself.

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The main character Hamlet changes drastically throughout the play. At the beginning of the play in act 1 scene 2, Hamlet is nothing but depressed, due to his father’s tragic death. He is suspicious that his uncle is the new king, and becomes very quiet and uneasy. “My father- methinks I see my father” (Act 1, Scene 2, Line 191). This quote shows that Hamlet is a bit delusional because he is stating to Horatio that he has seen his late father and can hear his voice, showing that Hamlet still is not over the fact that his father had passed away. 'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother, Nor customary suits of solemn black, Nor windy suspiration of forced breath” (Act 1, Scene 2, Line 77-79). This quote shows how Hamlet is dressing in all black, not just because he is in grief about his father passing, but because nothing can show how he really feels. He says that his weeping and dressing in dark colours do not reflect his true emotions, showing that Hamlet is very depressed. At the end of act one, Hamlet becomes in contact with the ghost of the king, his dad, which is where his character starts to develop. Hamlet starts to go a bit insane and crazy. “So uncle, there you are. Now to my word,  It is “Adieu, adieu, remember me. I have sworn it” (Act 1, Scene 5, Line 116-118). This quote shows how Hamlet has sworn to his father’s spirit that he will get revenge on his uncle for murdering his father. This shows character development because it shows how Hamlet goes from being depressed and quiet about his father’s death to seeking revenge on his uncle and becoming a bit psychotic due to the fact that he found out that his uncle just murdered his father. At the end of Act 2, Hamlet hatches himself a plan on how to get his revenge. This shows that Hamlet has gone completely mad and insane on what to do with the King. Hamlet lashes out and starts having delusional thoughts. Polonius starts to worry that Hamlet is onto Claudius, causing Hamlet to be a major threat. This shows character development because it shows how Hamlet goes from being sad about going mad, then going insane, and causing people to realize that he is acting differently. In Act 3, Scene 4, Hamlet starts to become a nervous mess and vulnerable. Hamlet kills Polonius right in front of his mother, Gertrude, because he thought that it was Claudius spying on him. This gives his mother the intention that he is crazy and mad for doing so, but when Hamlet sees his father's ghost and speaks to him, Gertrude believes that Hamlet is going insane because she can not see the ghost. “Why, look you there, look how it steals away.” (Act 3, Scene 4, Line 154) shows how Hamlet tries to describe to his mother that the ghost of her husband is in the room, but she can not seem him. Therefore making Hamlet’s character seem delusional. In Act 4, Hamlet starts to get impatient. He believes that there are signals implying that he must hurry up with the revenge and finish what he started. The quote “How all occasions do inform against me And spur my dull revenge!” (Act 4, Scene 4, Line 34-35). Show how when Hamlet becomes in contact with Fortinbras and discovers how he is leading an army into Poland to fight over a patch of land, Hamlet takes that as a sign to hurry up and complete his promise he made to the late king, which shows Hamlet starting to become anxious to finish his revenge. At the end of the play during Act 5, Hamlet becomes confident and sure that he will finally avenge his father and kill Claudius. When Hamlet replies with “I do not think so. Since he went into France, I’ve been in continual practice. I shall win at the odds.” (Act 5, Scene 2, Line 224-225), this shows how Hamlet's character changes from being depressed and shutdown, to crazy and insane due to the fact that nobody believed him when he saw his father's spirit, determined and confident about how he will kill King Claudius and avenge his late father. Hamlet was partly responsible for his death because he could have controlled his emotions. These quotes show that throughout the play, Hamlet creates feuds with fellow members of the kingdom, causing bridges to burn and more people to wish death upon him. Although he was loved by most, some people like Laertes and Claudius wanted Hamlet dead due to his behavior.

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“Mad as the sea and wind when both contend which is mightier”  (Act 4, Scene 1, Line 6-7). Gertrude is very conflicted regarding the state of mind of her son, Hamlet, further supporting his descendent into madness.  As a result of Hamlets insane rage and madness he kills Polonius hidden in the tapestry, believing he was a rat.  Gertrude tells the King that Hamlet is mad.  Mad as the sea and wind.  She is comparing Hamlet’s unreliability and erratic behaviour to the instability forces of the natural world.  Both the sea and wind can be predictable and calm one minute and then treacherous the next, as Hamlet’s behaviour and actions.  This passage also indicates Hamlets constant internal struggle between reality and insanity, just like the waves and wind struggle during a terrifying storm.
“And when he’s not himself does wrong Laertes.  Then Hamlet does in not.  Hamlet denies it… Who does it, then? ...His madness is poor Hamlet’s enemy”  (Act 5, Scene 2, Line 249-253). Hamlet acknowledges the pain he has caused Laertes but also denies any responsibility for having killed Laertes’ father.  He seems to be doubting himself and his own sanity by speaking in the third person, further supporting his madness.  He uses the excuse of madness to absolve himself of his heinous acts.  He has become distanced or separate from his former ‘sane’ self. Finally Hamlet realizes that his ‘madness’ is really his worse enemy all along, not Claudius or anyone else.

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“....I have heard of your paintings too, well enough; God has given you one face, and you make yourselves another”(Act 3, Scene 1, Line 154-156). This quote enforces the concept of appearance versus reality correlates to madness for both Hamlet and Ophelia.  Hamlet calls Ophelia two-faced and claims women deceive men with their looks and fake personalities.  This supports Hamlet’s struggle between reality, madness and his distorted perception of women.  This also marks the deterioration of Ophelia’s mental state.
“T’is now the very witching time of night, when churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out contagion to this world:  now could I drink hot blood.  And do such bitter business as the day would quake to look on”  (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 419-425). Hamlet’s reality is questioned because he talks about confirming Claudius’ guilt and being ready to get revenge for his father’s death.  Further supporting the madness theme, Hamlet appears unable to distinguish between reality and inhumanity.  He refers to ‘drinking blood’ as an evil deed but then believes he is capable of performing out another kind of evil deed.  He reveals his thirst for revenge and violence further supporting his passage into madness.

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“He is far gone, And truly, in my youth, I suffered much extremity for love, very near this.”  (Act 2, Scene 2, Line 206-208). Polonius is confused because Hamlet did not recognize him at first. He thought he was a fish seller but now is focused on his daughter , Ophelia again.  Thus supporting Polonius’ belief that Hamlet has gone mad.  Here Hamlet’s madness is blamed on his love for Ophelia.  Polonius believes Hamlet has taken things too far beyond what a reasonable person would do.  Hamlet has driven himself to the point of no return and gone mad.

“...the spirit that I have seen

May be the devil and the devil hath power” (Act 2, Scene 2, Line 627-628). The ghost of Hamlet’s father is always connected to the theory of whether or not Hamlet is insane (mad).  In this quote, Hamlet is questioning the essence of the ghost.  Whether or not it is the devil and also blaming this supernatural being for his madness.  Hamlet is admitting that he is depressed and weak.  It is this state of mind that has allowed him to be taken advantage by the ghost/devil and seek revenge

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“...What if tempts you toward the flood, my lord...And there assume some other horrible formWhich might deprive your sovereignty of reason and draw you into madness” (Act 1, Scene 4, Line 77-79) . This supports the theme because Horatio is foreshadowing Hamlet’s madness.  He believes the ghost can lead Hamlet to darkness, disparity and then eventually drive him mad.  He expresses concern that Hamlet is depressed and will act too rashly if he sees and speaks to his father’s ghost and lose touch with reality.
“...As I perchance hereafter shall think meet To put an antic disposition on…” (Act 1, Scene 5, Line 191-192). The line itself as said by Hamlet, suggests that madness can be an act.  Hamlet states he can ‘act’ mad.  He claims he will be pretending to be crazy.  He wants King Claudius to think that he is mad so that he falsely believes Hamlet is harmless and incapable of taking revenge for his father’s murder.  This marks the beginning of the journey for Hamlet between distinguishing reality  and madness.

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Throughout the play, Hamlet becomes a mad man. He starts to go insane and delusional and loses his mind. During act three, Hamlet’s mother Gertrude tries to talk some sense into Hamlet, but someone was listening in on their conversations. Hamlet believes it is Claudius, so he stabs him through a curtain, not knowing if it was him for sure. Sadly it was, Polonius, the father of his lover Ophelia and counselor to King Claudius. By Hamlet killing Polonius, this is the climax of the play because he commits himself into violent actions that are now unavoidable by the king. “I took thee for thy better. Take thy fortune. Thou find’st to be too busy is some dange.” (Act 3, Scene 4, Line 33-34) are the words Hamlet said when he saw Polonius’s dead body underneath the curtain. This relates to the plot of the play because this shows how Hamlet only focusing on killing Claudius messes with his head, and he starts to lose focus on everything else.

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Act 1 introduces the plot of Hamlet. It starts off with the kingdom guards, Marcellus and Fransisco seeing the ghost of the late king, who was Hamlet’s father. Act One shows the inciting incident in Hamlet because that is when the ghost of the late  king is presented. When the ghost says “Mark me-My hour has almost come” (Act 1, Scene 5, Line 5) to Hamlet, this shows the ghost speaking his first words to Hamlet, which shows the inciting incident because it shows the ghost first making an appearance with Hamlet and actually communicates with him. Although the ghost does not speak until the final scene in act one, the ghost’s appearance that is made in the first scene still shows the inciting incident because it shows that the ghost will continue to present itself, which will help explain more of the plot as to why Hamlet wants to murder Claudius for murdering his father.

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The plot of the play is to get revenge on Claudius for murdering Hamlet’s father, the king. When the ghost tells Hamlet to avenge him and kill Claudius, who murdered the king to take his place at the thrown, this is known as the rising action of the play because this is when Hamlet starts to plan his murder for Claudius. “So uncle, there you are. Now to my word,  It is “Adieu, adieu, remember me. I have sworn it” (Act 1, Scene 5, Line 116-118). This quote shows how Hamlet becomes obsessed with murdering Claudius because as soon as Hamlet speaks with the spirit of his father, Hamlet goes mad and believes that he has to seek revenge on his uncle for justice of his murdered father. The spirit of the late king tells Hamlet to seek revenge on Claudius to avenge the king himself. Hamlet then focuses his whole mind on killing the new king. Act 1 helps introduce the plot of the play because this is where Hamlet gets the idea of murdering his uncle, and where the revenge-seeking begins. This shows the rising action because this is where all the evil plans for murder begins to take place.

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During act four in Hamlet, Claudius, the new king, finds out that Hamlet killed Polonius, Fearfully that Hamlet was meant to kill Claudius himself, he sends Hamlet away to England, to reduce the chances of him being in danger. Returning from England, Hamlet sees that they are having a funeral Ophelia because she has drowned. The falling action in Hamlet is in act five, scene two, where Hamlet fights Laertes, Ophelia’s brother. This is the falling action because it is a direct result of the climax. Claudius wants to kill Hamlet due to the fear he has about Hamlet exposing the fact that he murdered the king, and gives Laertes the option to kill Hamlet with a poisoned sword, which he does end up doing. When Hamlet says “all’s ill here about my heart,” but that one must be ready for death since it will come no matter what one does” (Act 5, Scene 2, Line 222) to Laertes before fighting, this shows how Hamlet has grown throughout the play and has been prepared for death as an outcome while fighting, and has shown how the rising action and climax helped prepare Hamlet for his revenge. Hamlet ends up killing both Laertes and Claudius from a poisoned sword. The end would be considered when Hamlet kills both Laertes and Claudius before he dies. His last words were “...he has my dying voice, so tell him, with th’ occurrence, more and less, Which have solicited-the rest is silence.” (Act 5, Scene 2, Line 393-395). These final words meant that Hamlet wanted Fortinbras, the Norwegian Prince, to take control of the kingdom. This shows that Hamlet was finally satisfied with how he killed Claudius and avenged his father’s spirit, which ends the play of Hamlet.