B010_Hamlet3.txt

The Tragedy of Hamlet Even as the ghost spoke, Hamlet knew what he must do. He then solicited Horatio's help. "In order to uncover the true cause of my father's death, I'll pretend to be insane, but you must tell no one of our secret, you must pretend to know nothing of the cause of my madness." Horatio swore to keep the secret. From then on Hamlet lived in the palace and acted as if he was insane. People of the country had great sympathy for Prince Hamlet who used to be so handsome and smart. They prayed for him hoping he would return to his old self again. The cunning Claudius was not at all deceived by Prince Hamlet's cunning scheme. He arranged for two of Hamlet's friends to test him. These two agreed because they wanted to please the king. Prince Hamlet was glad when he saw his friends and he welcomed them. However, as he talked with them, the clever prince discovered their intention. Hamlet pretended to be in his right mind for a while, and then he would lose into a fit of insanity. Hamlet was a good actor, and these two young friends could not be sure of his case at all. News of Prince Hamlet's insanity soon came to the ears of Ophelia, the daughter of the Minister Polonius. She was a beautiful young lady, and loved Hamlet very much. Polonius rebuked his daughter for falling in love with the prince. He thought she was too naive. He said to his daughter, "The prince's position is so high that it's impossible for the two of you to get married. You must forget him."