Prince Hamlet Research Paper

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we come here today to discuss the innocence or the guilt of Prince Hamlet of Denmark. You should all know that Hamlet is suspected in the killing of his step-father, mother, ex-girlfriend Ophelia, his childhood friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and Polonius. Many may claim his madness makes him innocent, but I do not believe this is the case. I am here today to tell you that this young man is guilty of the murders of his Stepfather Claudius, of his friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and also of Polonius. Prince Hamlet was set on taking revenge for his father’s murder since he spoke to the ghost of his dead father (1.5 31-37). There was nothing that would stop this young man from achieving his goal, and he does in fact achieve it. First he wanted to know that Claudius was actually guilty and that he had not just gone completely mad. He tests Claudius and Claudius fails (2.2). Claudius shows his guilt to Hamlet proving that Hamlet did in fact see the ghost of his dead father. There would be no reason why Prince Hamlet would suspect the murder of his father to come from his dear Uncle unless
Hamlet has little respect for Polonius (2.2. 186-237). Hamlet offends Polonius by calling him derogatory names and making many retorts towards Polonius. Hamlet is obviously offended by the words of Polonius to his dear daughter to try to protect her from such a murderous villain. When Hamlet is speaking to his mother about her relations with her newlywed husband Hamlet hears a noise and attacks without further investigating. Polonius was not armed at the time and did not pose a threat to Hamlet. Because Hamlet did not have respect or care for Polonius he did not feel guilty for killing him. Hamlet was not aware of the identity of the person behind the curtain and by his fault he killed who he thought to be Claudius but instead was Polonius. Murder with negligence is still