quote, upon dying, Hamlet acknowledges that theyhave all been taking part in a play.In the study of Sociology, there is a theory that everyone has a number of rolesthat they perform in their lives. Within the play, Hamlet’s most obvious roles are thegrieving son who must avenge his father’s death; Ophelia’s lover and later, arguably, herdamnation; the beloved prince of a proud heritage; the well-educated, sensitivephilosopher; and most obviously within the play: the madman. During the play scene, hisless obvious roles emerge. It can be argued whether these roles give depth to the layers ofHamlet’s personality, or show how serious his madness had become. These less obviousroles, which will be discussed more fully, are Hamlet as manipulator, critic, good friend,comic, jubilant boy, mocking satirist, and revenger. Hamlet’s role as a manipulator is the most interesting in this scene. It is throughhis manipulations that all the other roles emerge. The whole purpose of the play scene isfor Hamlet to judge whether Claudius is guilty or if the ghost is lying. Therefore, Hamletmust manipulate the events of the scene. Ruth Nevo states: “In the play scene, Hamletstates his grand exposure of these inquiries” (50). Hamlet’s instructions to the playersreflect his intentions:For in the very torrent, tempest, and as I may say, the whirlwind of passion, you must acquire and begeta temperance that may give it smoothness. Oh, it offendsme to the soul, to hear a robustious periwig-pate fellowtear a passion to tatters, to very rags, to split the ears of the groundlings (III, ii. lns 5-11).Hamlet is saying that mastery of passion is essential to initiate action, something he hashad much trouble with throughout the play. It is with control of his passion, Hamletbegins the play scene so that he may “hold the mirror up to nature” (III, ii. ln 22). He willreveal the inner truth of the guilt...
