How Does Shakespeare Present Hamlet's Interactions With Others

In Act 2 Scene 2 of Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Shakespeare highlights the complexity of Hamlet’s interactions with others. Shakespeare does this through Hamlet’s conversations with others, as he exemplifies his intelligence, manipulates others, and expresses great emotions. In Hamlet, vivid conversations take place as they exemplify Hamlet’s interactions with others, such as when he expresses his intelligence, whether or not it is witty or genuine. His intelligence both illuminates and complicates his relationships with other characters. This is displayed when Hamlet and Lord Polonius exchange an encounter full of satirical remarks as Hamlet mocks Polonius and presents keen cleverness. Hamlet says, “Slanders, sir: for the satirical rogue says here that old men have grey beards, that their faces are wrinkled, their eyes purging thick amber and plum-tree gum and that they have a plentiful lack of wit.” By saying this, Hamlet discreetly makes fun of Polonius as he knows his true intentions of only being there to monitor him for the King.

This affects his relationships with others as he begins to act mad and can’t trust anyone because he is under surveillance and the rule of the King. Hamlet displays such a complex state that alters his relationships with others as his underlying intelligence keeps him in check and able to plan out his revenge. Additionally, Hamlet's ability to manipulate others highlights the complexity of many interactions in Act 2 Scene 2. Hamlet’s ability to manipulate others shows his strategic thinking and complex nature. This is exemplified as Hamlet continues to express traits of madness in an attempt to uncover Claudius’s true motives. While interacting with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet says, “My excellent good friends! How dost thou, Guildenstern? Ah, the