In his powerful play "Hamlet", William Shakespeare uses the theme of role play as a means by which Hamlet can make political statements, as well as protect himself from alleged madness. Hamlet uses the plays not only to inform Claudius that someone knows his secret, but also as a way to move through different situations, so that others do not know his intention. While many key characters in the play believe that Hamlet has gone mad, he can actually be seen directly playing them into his hand. He places his characters, Claudius, Ophelia, Polonius, and Horatio, in the exact situations he wants for his game and actions to achieve the ultimate goal of revenge. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay The main target of all Hamlet plays is Claudius. At the beginning of the play, Hamlet is unhappy with his uncle's rule over Denmark and his mother's hasty marriage. Before the ghost tells Hamlet who the murderer is, Hamlet states "Haste me to know that I, with wings as swift as meditation or thoughts of love, can avenge myself." (1, 5, 35-37) This commitment decides the fate of Claudius in the hands of Hamlet; However, Hamlet does not act in haste. He takes his time to prepare a trap for Claudius. Hamlet hires a troupe of actors to perform a play of his own design, cleverly titled “The Mousetrap.” His plan involves Claudius being so disturbed by the allusions to old Hamlet's murder that a visible reaction will occur. Hamlet directs the players: "Deliver the speech, I pray you, as I delivered it to you, with a stumbling tone on the tongue... Be not too tame either, but let your own discretion be your guardian . (3.2, 1-18) As the players prepare, Hamlet prepares his own scene regarding seating arrangements and the mood of the observers. Before the observers arrive, Hamlet asks Horatio to wait for a sudden reaction from Claudius. . "Observe my uncle. If his concealed guilt is not revealed in a single speech, it is a damned ghost that we have seen..." (3, 2, 85-87) Hamlet knows that the play must provoke a strong reaction and wants someone else to notice it too. Not only does Hamlet watch over Claudius, but he also engages in dialogue with Ophelia, Claudius, and Gertrude before the play. This dialogue aims to sow unease within Claudius, while giving Gertrude the impression that everything is fine. Ophelia, however, is allowed a different type of interaction between herself and Hamlet. Hamlet makes many different insinuations towards her, and also uses the mask of madness to make her even more uncomfortable. He said: “For you see how happy my mother looks, and my father died in less than two hours.” (3, 2, 134-135) Ophelia is very disturbed by Hamlet's apparent ease after informing him that two months have passed since his father's death. Hamlet is amused by Ophelia's reaction, as well as the reaction of the audience as a whole at the beginning of the play. The stage direction of “Hamlet” explains how the first layer of fear is transmitted to Claudius through the play. A re-enactment of Old Hamlet's death is required, including the poison poured into the ear. As the play continues, Hamlet delights in the disturbance of the queen, Ophelia, and the king. The king is so disturbed that he stands up, thus proving to Hamlet that the king is indeed the murderer. Hamlet's plan was carried out as he intended by using performance and his own madness performance to get the king to shout, "Give me a little light!" (3, 2, 295) Although the game.