Act 1 Scene 5: The Underlying Conflicts
             One of the most significant scenes that flip the story of Hamlet into a bloody tragedy is the Scene 5 of Act 1. The event directly points out the truth of King Hamlet's death and marks the beginning of revenge. Through this scene, William Shakespeare shows audience his favor in fratricide and how he applies such various themes to describe the scene. Under the conflict of reality versus appearance and revenge versus religion, Hamlet Act 1 Scene 5 reveals the flip side of the whole piece, and has the poor Hamlet prisons himself in the darkness of obligation, pain, and hatred.
             The scene begins with the conflict between reality and appearance. The truth that being told by the ghost of old Hamlet has touched Hamlet's worst fear: The King was murdered by his brother- Claudius. It is no wonder that for so long; Hamlet has been questioning his uncle Claudius for overcoming King Hamlet's death so quickly and taking the throne as well as his father's bed with Gertrude. The reason is now obvious and it seems not what Hamlet had expected. Under the theme of reality, the appearance now becomes nonsense. "That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain!" (Shakespeare, 1.5.109). Even though Claudius murdered his own brother, his speeches and gestures somehow turn out to be as normal as nothing happens. In this case, Claudius must have been using such unbelievable language to hide reality. As soon as reality is revealed, Hamlet is now aware of his appearance. He tells his friends his intention to feign madness before the King and the court.
             The mask of madness will have him more time to prepare for the revenge. Like the smiling mask of Claudius, Hamlet intends to observe and discern the best way and time for his "return". However, while Hamlet thinks that he is pretending to be mad, it seems like he really goes mad. The meaning of Hamlet's madness is ambiguo...