Hamlet is in a state of depression over the death of his father. He is visited by his father's ghost and realizes that his family is more corrupt than he previously thought. This recent acquaintance causes Hamlet to become dark in nature, almost callous towards the people he once cared about. In Hamlet, Shakespeare creates a chronology of Hamlet's plan for revenge and the events that lead to his downfall. Readers begin to see a transition from a man, with once admirable loyalty, to developing cynical behavior, which ultimately ends in tragedy. Along with his procrastination, Hamlet's intertwined sarcasm and suicidal insights cause the surrounding audience to question his sanity. Instead of seeing Hamlet as a constantly depressed man, Shakespeare suggests, through sarcasm, that Hamlet is aware of the events happening around him. Hamlet states, “Meats baked in the funeral oven coldly furnished the wedding tables” (I.II.179-180), revealing his attitude toward his mother's marriage to his uncle. His morals associated with marriage are clearly expressed. Hamlet despises the hasty marriage of Gertrude and her new husband Claudius. Furthermore, Hamlet expresses his prejudice when he exclaims, “I think it was to see my mother's wedding” (I.II.177). Once again, Hamlet is ridiculing his mother's marital choices. This continued sarcasm indicates tension between his mother and "stepfather" and foreshadows future conflicts. Hamlet uses sarcasm to illustrate how senseless the reign is with Claudius. Hamlet demonstrates his frustration with the people under Claudius' rule when he says, "The drum and the trumpet thus bray the triumph of his promise" (I.IV.12-13). Hamlet characterizes the people under Claudius as mindless pawns. He believes the kingdom is being deceived... in the middle of paper... and reason. The strategies he uses to prove Claudio's guilt have been implemented to his disadvantage. Other than Hamlet's friend Horatio, Hamlet kept information about his plans to himself. He did not involve law enforcement or provide any valid evidence. Hamlet began as the protagonist figure, but chose unwise actions and reasons. He relied only on himself and was ignorant of reality. Hamlet made judgments based on individual people. His attitude towards women changed dramatically after dealing with his mother's quick marriage to his father's uncle. His opinions of the general public changed when they decided to obey Claudius' rule, without being aware of the crime. Hamlet's procrastination and knowledge caused him to lose his grip on reality and lose his life. Works Cited Shakespeare, William and Harold Jenkins. Hamlet. London: Methuen, 1982. Print.