Between acts 1 and 2, identify two character traits for Hamlet. Provide a quote to support each. Identify one trait as described by other characters...

has been described by various scholars as melancholy, bitter, brooding, cynical, indecisive,
judgmental, harsh, dark, impulsive, and suicidal. Instead of trying to characterizein the most
theatrical, sensational, and dramatic frames of reference, let's look at Hamlet as a real person
caught up in extraordinary circumstancescircumstances that might easily overwhelm any of
us if we found ourselves in Hamlet's place.

Hamlet might
well have been moping around the castle dressed in black, but does that necessarily make him
"melancholy"?

QUEEN: Good Hamlet, cast thy
nighted colour off . . . (1.2.70)

We learn that Hamlet is
still wearing black mourning clothes, while everybody else is dressed up like they just came
from a wedding.

QUEEN: . . . Do not for ever with thy
vailed lids
Seek for thy noble father in the dust . . . (1.2.72€“73)

Hamlet was walking around with his head down. So what? Maybe he
was just thinking. Maybe he was thinking about his dead father. Maybe he was
thinking...