What is the appropriate time to mourn a loved one who has passed away? In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Hamlet's mother, Gertrude, mourned the passing of her husband for less than two months. She then decided to marry King Hamlet's brother, Claudius. Hamlet's mother's remarriage is what worries him the most. Hamlet believes that Claudius will never live up to the legacy left by his father as king of Denmark. The social context that is revealed to the reader through Hamlet's soliloquy describes three character traits that he possesses: suicidal thoughts, concern for the well-being of his country, confusion about his father's ghost, and whether or not it is in the country's best interest to him. to take revenge. This also describes how Queen Gertrude's hasty wedding, after not having a proper mourning period, goes against the society of this era. Furthermore, this foreshadows the vast effect this will have on Hamlet. One character trait that Hamlet possessed was suicidal thoughts. Hamlet's pure hatred for his mother's remarriage and fear of being considered a traitor if he confesses it to anyone are enough to make anyone feel confused and insecure. Hamlet feels helpless and is the only one who seems to mourn his father's recent death. "Cabbage! Oh shame! It is a weedless garden / that grows to produce seeds; things of a gross and gross nature/simply possess it” (I.ii.135-137). life is a weedless garden that grows to produce seeds. Life is a waste of time, that's why Hamlet is suicidal. The garden is unnatural in the state Denmark is in, with the killing of a king. Grade and gross refer to Claudius. Rank means to have enormous hatred or disgust. Claudio's manners and morals were coarse and rancorous. Hamlet explains... in the middle of the page... the ghost of his father, and whether or not to take revenge. Hamlet is still not sure whether the ghost is real or whether a hallucination has driven him mad. This also adds suspicion about Claudius' true motives in marrying Gertrude and his concern for his country, Denmark. Shakespeare chooses to let Hamlet's character possess these certain characteristics so early on in order to set the scene for the rest of the play. I predict that Hamlet will become so delirious and mad; he will listen to what the ghost tells him. He only wants the best for his country, but he is about to go to war with Norway under the direction of a king who in Hamlet's eyes is not worthy. I believe there will be a power struggle between Hamlet and Claudius for the throne and that Hamlet will claim what is rightfully his. Works Cited Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. New York: Shakespeare's classic seal, 1998.