King Claudius gives little thought to the recent death of his brother because he glosses over the funeral with the merriment of his wedding, which is strange. He tries to reason with Hamlet with logic instead of emotion by explaining that it is natural for his father to die. He seems harsh and uncaring because he calls Hamlet unmanly for continuing to grieve. Yet, he acts like a loving father because he asks Hamlet to stay with them rather than return to school in Wittenberg. Then, after he leaves to plan a celebration for him, Hamlet reveals his disapproval. Claudius hastily marries Gertrude as if he had known beforehand that his brother was going to die.
Queen Gertrude is taking her husband's death too well. It is peculiar that she remarries within a month of his death to his brother. I would expect a wife to spend a longer period of time mourning her dead husband, especially since Hamlet says that he was so loving to her. She seems superficially cheery because she asks what is wrong with Hamlet when it is clear and understandable that he would be grieving for his father. She has quickly moved on with her life and wants Hamlet to do the same. Also, she seems like a caring mother because she does not want her son to leave for school, and he listens to her.
Prince Hamlet appropriately laments in black clothes with teary eyes for his dead father, unlike Claudius and Gertrude. He had a very close relationship with his father, who he praises as an excellent king. He describes him as a sun god compared to Claudius, a goatlike satyr, which shows their strained relationship. He rightfully criticizes his mother for getting married again so soon after the funeral. He seems thoughtful at first because of his long considerations about the death, marriage and his father's ghost. However, both Laertes and Polonius warn Ophelia about his impulsiveness because he is a young man. They do not believe that he truly loves Ophelia, but he must be charming for her to be in love with him.
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