What is the significance of the mousetrap play in hamlet

This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna. You shall see anon. Your majesty and we that have free souls, it touches us not. Let the galled jade wince, our withers are unwrung. The Mousetrap. Why on earth is it called that, you ask? This play is about a murder committed in Vienna.

Let the guilty wince. The Ghost's story is confirmed. By enacting the play Hamlet has confirmed the Ghost's story, but at the expense of revealing his own knowledge to the King. His own fate is sealed unless he follows up his victory. The victory is imperfect, in any case, because Hamlet's behavior during the performance, as well as the apparent gross lack of the taste in his choosing a play with such a theme can allow the King to cover up his guilt with a show of anger.

On the other hand, Hamlet is extremely happy at having discovered the truth. Now he gives more weight to the words of the Ghost. Thus, the situation leads to the crisis or turning point of the play. Hamlet has to act now. But when he gets the opportunity to carry out his work, he fails to act as he finds Claudius at prayer. In his soliloquy he justifies his lack of action by saying that if he kills Claudius, who is at prayer, his soul would enjoy the pleasures of heaven, instead of suffering the tortures of hell.

The Murder of Gonzago play puts both Claudius and the Ghost on trial, the former for 'fratricide' and the latter for its 'honesty. Still, he hesitates to act. Hence this play emphasizes Hamlet's procrastinating nature. Hamlet is inspired by the play with greater desire to act, but it fails to have the effect to make him act. It only shows him as a 'pigeon-livered' man who shrinks from action on moral grounds. By inserting an emblem e.

Edelman, Charles. But how does Claudius react to The Mousetrap? A hysterical departure or a passive retreat seem unlikely. Gibinska, Marta. Newark: U of Delaware P, This makes Claudius pray and prevents Hamlet from killing him at the moment which was appropriate for that. This backfires as Claudius regains self-control and designates the murder of Hamlet. It is ineffective because Hamlet fails to act as he initially intended and exposes himself and other people related to him to an immense danger.

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