Act 1 Scene 2

This scene begins inside the castle, where Claudius, King Hamlet’s brother, is jovially announcing his marriage to Gertrude, his former sister-in-law. This largely contrasts the dark, supernatural tone of Scene 1. Claudius’ main concern is to balance the mourning of his brother with the happiness of his new matrimony, though this newly convoluted family dynamic does not sit well with Hamlet. Nevertheless, Claudius gets on with business. He addresses the issue of young Fortinbras wanting to take some land away from Denmark. He is doing so in rebellion of his bed-ridden uncle, who took the throne after Old Fortinbras was killed. As such, King Claudius wishes to make an agreement with Fortinbras’ uncle, which would help to stop the young man’s military plans. He sends Voltemand and Cornelius with a letter to Norway. Claudius’ speeches are filled with unsettling contradictions and oxymorons. For example, “Though yet of Hamlet our late brother’s death / The memory be green,” combines both death imagery and words of growth and renewal. Similarly, the contradictions of “mirth in funeral” and “dirge in marriage” is just enough for the audience to feel uneasy around Claudius. After all, if it weren’t for Claudius’ marriage to Gertrude, it would be Hamlet sitting on the Danish throne. His efforts to present a happy court seem somewhat superficial, because his attempt at “balancing” the emotions actually does not align with the Great Chain of Being. This symbolises the corruption lurking in Denmark.