Hamlet #5

In this section of Hamlet, Hamlet's play is performed to his family. Also, Polonius' plan is put into action. Toward the end of act three scene two, Hamlet is conversing with Guildenstern while players with recorders enter. Hamlet uses the recorder as a metaphor for Guildenstern's treatment toward him. He says, "Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing/ you make of me! You would play upon me, you/ would seem to know my stops. You would pluck/ out the heart of my mystery...'Sblood,/ do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe?/ Call me what instrument you will, though you can/ fret me, yet you cannot play upon me" (III.ii.393-396,399-402). In this dialogue, Hamlet is saying that Guildenstern played him to uncover the mystery as to why Hamlet acts the way he does. Hamlet rhetorically asks if he is manipulative, and says that he cannot be fooled. This quotation is important in the play because Guildenstern is supposed to be Hamlet's close friend, yet is spying on him due to orders from the King and Queen. Earlier in the play, Hamlet believed that his friend was "true" to him, unlike his family. Here, that is proved false.