The Plan to Capture In Act II two different plays play an important role as a mirror of Hamlet’s situation and as a tool to prove that Claudius was the murderer. The first play is an ancient Greek play that tells a story of revenge. Pyrrhus' like Hamlet has to avenge his fathers death no matter what the consiquence are. The second skit is used so Hamlet can prove that his suspected murder is actually guilty. |
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When Hamlet meets the players, he asks them to recall a play where Aeneas tells Dido, the queen of Carthage, about Pyrrhus’ revenge for his father’s death. In this first play, the actor in the role of Aeneas tells the story of Pyrrhus’ anger at the death of his father Achilles’ and the revenge he takes on King Priam. With no remorse Pyrrhus’ attacks Priam with his “bleeding sword.” (113) |
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Hamlet plans to use these same players to act out a murder scene. He hopes that Claudius’ guilty reaction will be evidence of his crime. An excited Hamlet remarks, “The play’s the thing/ Wherein I’ll catch conscience of the King.” Hamlet even hopes that King Claudius will be prompted to confess his “malefactions.” |
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