Uncertainty In Hamlet

Aside from the political matters which establish the tone throughout Hamlet, Shakespeare successfully conveys symbols relating to sense as well as the recurrent theme of uncertainty to his readers. Throughout the entirety of Act I, Scene 3, we observe Polonius as the faithful servant of King Claudius who, as a loving and caring father, wishes to ensure the best for his children. As a protective measure, he advises that his daughter stay away from Hamlet on account of his corrupt youth and offers words of advice to his son for his ventures, encouraging him to “be familiar, but by no means vulgar” (2.3. 67). Nevertheless, in the opening scene of Act 2, Polonius instructs his servant Ronaldo to spy on Laertes and learn how he is behaving through “windlasses and assays of bias”, or rather indirect
approaches of inquiring faults which Polonius himself specifically instructed against. This not only demonstrates a lack of trust in his own son, but also confirms Polonius’s beliefs about the natural faults in youth. Immediately after, an apparently deranged Hamlet appears to Ophelia, who frighteningly relays the incident to her already suspecting father.
Although the audience is aware of the true explanation for Hamlet’s behavior (his father’s ghost), Polonius perceives the occurrence as “common for the younger sort” since they “lack discretion” and believes his daughter’s denial of the Prince is the actual reason behind his behavior (2.2. 129-130). In turn, this illustrates how Polonius was quick to base his judgment upon that of which his daughter saw and heard which sets the play up for the pursuing developing scenes. The use of sight and hearing are also important; as Polonius and King Claudius hide to observe Hamlet, they shall confirm or deny what they believe to know is the problem. The ambiguity continues in Scene 2, as both the King and Queen request Hamlet’s two school friends to spy on him and discover the belittling reason for his temper since they are unaware themselves. At the same time, Hamlet seemingly shifts from an aggravated, determined, revenge-stricken attitude to a focused, observant, witty figure who, although ‘deranged’, “knows a hawk from a handsaw”
(2.2. 403). In other words, Hamlet confuses the audience’s prior interpretation of him by switching from revenge to analyzing madness and plays. Lastly, while Hamlet believes that the King’s reaction after the reenactment of his brother’s death will cause him to confess, there is no true connection between his emotional response and the actual validity of what occurred.