Hamlet post 1

In act 1 scene two when Claudius is holding court, the scene seems almost absurdist. We soon see the situation through Hamlet's eyes, and identify with him as he appears to be the only character genuinely mourning for his father. Already we can understand why Hamlet will later suspect that his father's death was not an accident. After a conversation between Claudius, Hamlet and the Queen in which Hamlet is chided for sulking day after day, Claudius states that Hamlet is being a child, and that every man loses a father at some point, but to "persevere in obstinate condolement is a course of imperious stubbornness"(I. ii. 96). This characterizes Claudius as a cold and unsympathetic man, especially since the late king was his brother. The fact that the Hamlet's mother is also following Claudius' example in not mourning her husband's death contributes to the eerie absurdist feel of the scene.