eading to the consequence of the world itself becomingthe "macro" manifestation of a prison in Hamlet's eyes.Further along in the same paragraph, Hamlet offers up his opinion onman, extolling his virtues and excellent qualities ("what a piece ofwork is man^"). Yet, it is tremendously ironic, that the ideal type ofman Hamlet is describing is nowhere to be found in the play. Hamlethimself is indecisive, unable to take action, Claudius is a slave to hislusts and passions, Polonius is a simpering, servile old fool, andRosenkrantz and Guildenstern are mindless ninnies. Quite simply, no"true man" as Hamlet describes him exists in the play. As a result of this dismal realization, and because of his inability toadapt to the "unnatural state of things in Denmark", Hamlet has lost thelove for life he once had. This loss of enthusiasm also stems from thefact that he intrinsically knows there is more wickedness brewing underthe superficial illusionary surface of calm that Claudius is trying topromote. As a culmination of all these factors, Hamlet loses all faithin man:"And yet, to me, what is thisquintessence of dust?"Scene 2, Act 2, Lines 332-3Drawing on Biblical allusions, Hamlet redefines the position of man assimply "that which came from dust". From this stance, it is inferredthat solely God is Truth. Man, coming from the lowly earth, cannot bedepended upon to deliver pure and true thoughts, as his source of originitself is impure and unclean. If one establishes this rationality formankind's nature, then all the characters in the play can be accountedfor....
