s emotions. Rather, Hamlet simply rolls contrived and sarcastic comments off his tongue. One example of this comes during the middle of the third act when Ophelia comments on the brevity of the prologue to the play that is being performed. She speaks, “’Tis brief, my lord.” Hamlet, who in actuality is probably speaking to Gertrude, replies, “As woman’s love.” This is a fine example of Hamlet’s sinister sarcasm, hinting at his anger toward Gertrude and, of course, touching a nerve with Claudius.Hamlet attempts to resolve his problems by thinking them through logically, but he cannot adhere to logic if he wishes to resolve problems of a moral nature. Although Hamlet seems to realize this dilemma, he is unable to remedy it because he is still controlled by his emotions and cannot put his head in service of his heart. This problem is brought to light in the following statement he makes to Horatio:“Give me that man That is not passion’s slave, and I will wear him In my heart’s core, ay, in my heart of heart, As I do thee” (III.ii70-73).Thus, it is clear that Hamlet realizes his problem, but, at this point, is unable to overcome it. Although this could be interpreted as a flaw of Hamlet’s, it is most understandable that his emotions are dominating his person. In fact, only an extremely callous human being would not to be utterly distraught by the events that Hamlet is forced to endure. However, as understandable as this problem may be, it nonetheless impedes him from escaping his psychological prison and further shows that Hamlet is split in a state of entrapment. Until Hamlet comes to accept his own mortality, he is very confused about his intentions and, therefore, in a state of entrapment. In fact, throughout the first four acts, he is torn against himself and invariably fails in all attempts to resolve his internal issues. He attempts to solve his problems...
