HamNun+Chaeri+Jeong

__Hamlet’s Act__

Throughout the nunnery scene, Hamlet is fully aware of the fact that Claudius and Polonius are watching him secretively. Hamlet knows everything that is happening behind his back and becomes disappointed in Ophelia, who decides to take a part in the secret “act” along with the two men. Because of this, Hamlet becomes disgusted with women in general because they let themselves be controlled by other people; hence, they live their life as a lie. Completely enraged, Hamlet yells at Ophelia and insults her by commenting on the foolishness and the immorality of women: “That if you be honest and fair, your honesty should admit no discourse to your beauty” (Act 3.1.108). According to Hamlet, women are born with beauty but they use their beauty as a disguise to deceive others, especially men. For example, Hamlet admits that he “did love [her] once” but now is absolutely angry that she is also one of the individuals such as Claudius, who are not trustworthy (Act 3.1.115). Their outer beauty, therefore, contrasts greatly with their inner soul. Hamlet often utilizes beauty and honesty as antithesis to make his point that women are sinners: “the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than the force of honesty can translate beauty into his likeness” (Act 3.1.111). Beauty changes women into a bawd- a prostitute.

Hamlet also brings up his mother, Gertrude, who to his mind is very similar to Ophelia. From these two women, he makes the assumption that women are born as prostitutes who give birth to sinners: “Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?” (Act 3.1.122). To Hamlet, everyone is a sinner and therefore there is no one that he can truly trust. After making such bold comment, he suddenly asks a question that is quite off-tangent, “where is your father?” (Act 3.1.131). This hints the readers that Hamlet, even though he is not saying it directly, is clearly cognizant of what is going on around him. It also shows that Hamlet is smart and astute. In addition, Hamlet mentions “nunnery” a couple times to show that Ophelia does not deserve to marry a wise man because he can see the true side of her. If, however, she does want to marry, Hamlet suggests that she marries a fool, who is easy to deceit. The wise man refers to Hamlet, himself because he has discovered that Ophelia is working together with the evil king, Claudius. Put shortly, he is too wise for Ophelia and thus they are not meant to be together: “If thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool, for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them” (Act 3.1.140).

Hamlet, when delivering the points above, sounds very confident and certain. Truly he could not have sounded so assured without knowing the fact that the king is putting his little scheme into action and Ophelia is a part of it by being the “actress”.