Play – Within- Play in William Shakespeare's "Hamlet": Dramatic Significance

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Introduction

The play-within-play, also known as "The Mousetrap," is a pivotal scene in William Shakespeare's tragedy "Hamlet." It serves as a clever device used by Shakespeare to advance the plot, reveal the characters' true nature, and highlight key themes of the play. The play – within  -play that occurs in "HAMLET" Act II, Scene III  was a well – known dramatic device in Shakespeare’s days used to give an interesting turn to the plot and to further the theme. Kyd in his famous Spanish Tragedy had favoured such a device successfully and this might have prompted Shakespeare to introduce it in Hamlet, which had some elements of revenge tragedy in it. We should now see how this play – scene affects the course of play to be able to measure its real significance. We will explore the dramatic significance of the play-within-play, focusing on its contribution to the plot, its effect on the characters, and its thematic importance.

Character Revelation

We know already that Hamlet learnt of his father’s foul murder through poisoning by Claudius and of his mission to avenge his father’s death as ordered by his father’s Ghost. Hamlet , however , was still in doubt and procrastinated, when the touring players arrived and the idea of testing the quiet of the king by a play suddenly hit him. “The play is the thing”, he exclaims, “to catch the conscience of the king”. By enacting the play, Hamlet thought he could clear himself of doubt – that about the honesty of the Ghost and the other about the occulted guilt of his uncle who was now the King (Claudius). This is the main motive of the play – scene. As Claudius watches the performance, he becomes increasingly uncomfortable, and his reaction exposes his guilt. This moment provides a turning point for Hamlet, confirming his suspicions and solidifying his resolve to avenge his father's murder. The play-within-play also highlights the stark contrast between Hamlet's feigned madness and Claudius's guilty conscience, deepening the audience's understanding of both characters.

Thematic Importance

The play is preceded by a summary dumb – show, which largely goes unnoticed by the royal couple (Claudius and Queen) busy in whispering conversation. Than the actual play The Murder of Gonzaga begins with its story of a happy king who recalls a happy married life of three decades and expresses his devout desire for the extension of that marital bliss. The Queen , however , shows her anxiety about the health of the king who again confirms that he is approaching the end of his mortal journey. The Queen protests that if it would come to that she would never marry again. The King gently contradicts her when out of wisdom born of experience he pithily pronounces that out loves change with our fortunes.

 As a reaction, we find the Queen making frenzied protestation of her eternal constancy. The king feels drowsy and falls asleep when the Queen leaves and the King’s nephew enter to pour deadly poison in the ears of the sleeping king. Thus, the performance within the play mirrors the deceptive nature of the court and the characters themselves. It underscores the idea that things are not always as they seem, and appearances can be deceiving. By using a play to expose the truth, Shakespeare emphasizes the theme of hidden reality beneath the surface. Through the artifice of the performance, Shakespeare questions the authenticity of human actions and challenges the audience to reflect on the moral implications of their own behavior. This meta-theatrical aspect adds depth and complexity to the overall play, encouraging the audience to question the nature of truth and illusion.

Plot Advancement 

The play-within-play plays a crucial role in advancing the plot of "Hamlet." Prince Hamlet, seeking to confirm his uncle Claudius's guilt in the murder of his father, King Hamlet, arranges for a group of traveling actors to perform a play that reenacts the circumstances of the regicide. By observing Claudius's reaction during the performance, Hamlet hopes to ascertain his guilt or innocence. This scene not only drives the narrative forward but also builds suspense and tension, as Hamlet's plan unfolds before the audience. 

The play – scene has also been called the mouse – trap scene. In fact the trap is well – laid in advance by Hamlet who tells Horatio only his basic purpose while asking him to keep a constant watch on the king's (Claudius) face during the poisoning scene. During the play Hamlet keeps himself busy in various ways indicative of his method in madness.
As the play proceeds, King Claudius betrays signs of growing distribution when Hamlet assures that this passing show was nothing but make – believe. The scene of poisoning coming, the king sees the re – enactment of his own crime and failing to endure it any more, leaves the hall a huff with the performance ending in confusion.

Dramaturgic Skill

The play -within – the play scene has been interpreted in many ways. It was no doubt in traduced following the vogue in revenge tragedies as has been hinted before and it also acted as a diversion , also lessened the tension. Finally, this scene settled the double doubts to Hamlet’s satisfaction and thus gave an edge to Hamlet’s resolve to avenge his father’s death. In this way, this scene certainly advances the action of the play and its theme. For when Hamlet in sure of the king’s guilt from the latter’s extreme uneasiness and discomfiture during the poisoning scene, a thing well – noted by Horatio posted for that purpose, he is wild with excitement at the success of his plan. After this, he receives word from his mother (the Queen) that she wants to speak to him and he is now fully convinced that he can firmly proceed in the bitter business he has vowed to perform.

Apart from the diversionary interest of the scene and its main motif, this again contains Shakespeare’s dictum on dramatic production pronounced through Hamlet and as the result of a unique performing experience, these directions to players speak volumes of Elizabethan productions. They also contain some oblique references to the over – acting of some Elizabethan actors while they specifically prohibit the tendency of the clowns to say thing which are not in the test of the play. About these comments on acting, Coleridge says that they are “one of the happiest instances of Shakespeare’s power of diversifying the scene while he is carrying on the plot”. This scene finally reveals the true character of King Claudius and in doing so, it sharpens the contest between the King and Hamlet, who freed of his double doubts, prepares to fulfill his ordered mission of revenge. The scene also shows Hamlet at his best acting almost next to Providence with his apparently mad restless actions from making fun of Ophelia to mocking the King though darting sarcasms to his mother and even playing chorus to his little show. Hamlet’s versatile genius shows itself in all its brilliance and sparkling wit while his admirable presence of mind shines all through it.

Conclusion

The play-within-play in Shakespeare's "Hamlet" holds significant dramatic significance in terms of plot advancement, character revelation, and thematic exploration. Through this ingenious device, Shakespeare propels the story forward, reveals the true nature of the characters, and explores important themes such as appearance versus reality, the role of theater, and the corrupting influence of power. The play-within-play serves as a pivotal moment in "Hamlet," captivating the audience and leaving a lasting impression of the play's depth and complexity.

Ardhendu De

Ref:

 1. Hamlet (complete text) :|: Open Source Shakespeare. (n.d.). Hamlet (Complete Text) :|: Open Source Shakespeare. https://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/play_view.php?WorkID=hamlet&Scope=entire&pleasewait=1&msg=pl#a3,s1
2. Shakespearean tragedy : lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth : Bradley, A. C. (Andrew Cecil), 1851-1935 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/shakespeareantra1905brad     

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