A Play in a Play
While Hamlet is acting mad, he plans and directs a play to reenact his father’s murder to prove Claudius’ guilt.
In acts 2 & 3, everyone believes that Hamlet is mad; this gives him the time to prove Claudius’ guilt through a reenactment of his father’s death. Lucianus, the actor playing Claudius, rehearses “With Hecate’s ban thrice blasted, thrice (infected,) Thy natural magic and dire property On wholesome life (usurp) immediately. (Pours the poison in his ears.)”(Scene 2, Lines 283-86). Awaiting a reaction from Claudius, Hamlet gets it “He poisons him i’ th’ garden for his estate… You shall see anon how the murderer gets the love of Gonzago’s wife. ˹Claudius rises.˺” (Scene 2, lines 287- 291). ↓↓
As the act progresses, Hamlet tries to prove his sanity to his mother, explaining to her Claudius’ sin “It will but skin and film the ulcerous place, Whilst rank corruption, mining all with, Infects unseen. Confess yourself to heaven; Repent what’s past; avoid what is to come; and do not spread the compost on the weeds, To make them ranker” (Scene 4, lines 168-173). The imagery describes Claudius as an “ulcerous place” infected and corrupt; just like an awful disease.
In act 3, the themes of disease and poison are projected through Shakespeare’s use of imagery and diction. Both themes are used much more figuratively in speech and act.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Daniel_Maclise)-_The_Works_of_Shakspeare_-_Hamlet,_the_play_scene_(Act_III,_Scene_2).JPG
