The best single example of this is in Act III, Scene IV, in which Hamlet confronts Gertrude. Although the scene includes the accidental stabbing of the kindly, bumbling Polonius, his death is almost an afterthought. What is more powerful and startling is the confrontation between mother and son. Gertrude exclaims, ôO, what a rash and bloody deed is this!ö and Hamlet replies, ôA bloody deed! almost as bad, good mother,/As kill a king, and marry with his brotherö (1002). In HamletÆs reckoning, his mother is implicated in his fatherÆs death, whether she knew about it or not, and her act of marrying her brother-in-law is much worse than his of killing an innocent man.

The psychological brutality of the scene is more devastating than the physical violence. As she becomes aware of the truth of her sonÆs accusations, Gertrude begins to dissolve. She cries, ôO Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twainö (1003). He, perhaps realizing the impac

Once Hamlet has accepted his fatherÆs charge to avenge his death, he begins a campaign of violent destruction that he seems unable to stop. Yet every step of his revenge, even this scene in which he reveals the truth to his mother and convinces her to give up her wifely duties as part of the vengeance against Claudius, gives him no comfort. Shakespeare shows clearly that violence breeds only violence and misery. Among HamletÆs last words to Horatio as he is dying is the caution to remember the pain that his acts have caused. He asks, ôAbsent thee from felicity awhile,/And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain,/To tell my storyö (V II 1017).

Violence on stage can be highly entertaining, but it can also teach its audience a vital lesson. Shakespeare uses the cruelty and destruction of HamletÆs story to warn his listeners that there are better ways to deal with the world. Hamlet chooses death, that those who watch may choose life instead.

As the master writer that he is, Shakespeare