His Doublet All Unbraced

     The first action of Hamlet's upon hearing of his uncle's betrayal is conveyed to us through Ophelia's recounting of the incident to Polonius.  The purpose of the scene within the play is to set into motion Polonius' attempts to show that Hamlet's madness springs from his love of Ophelia, but the incident itself appears odd.  What cause is there for Hamlet to act like this?  Is this just a generic part of his antic disposition?  Or are these the actions of a genuine madman?

     Hamlet's actions in this scene, recounted as they are by Ophelia, are a step removed from their original motivations.  We do not get a chance to see them through the actions of the actor playing them, only through Ophelia's reconstruction after the fact.  Seen through this lens they therefore appear to be devoid of sense and meaning.  But here is a possible explanation for them.

     Hamlet, having just learned of his father's murder by his uncle, leaves his friends and goes to Ophelia.  Having entered her room in his state of disarray he goes to tell her of what has just happened to him but at the last moment rethinks his decision.  Suspicion enters into his mind and he is unsure of whether or not he can trust her to keep his secret from her father.  Thus he enters into "such perusal of my face as 'a would draw it".  After debating for a time, Hamlet decides he cannot trust her and, saddened by that decision, he leaves without explanation, causing Ophelia the distress that she then, fulfilling Hamlet's fear because of Hamlet's fear, reports to her father.  The scene (with this interpretation) is the arc of Hamlet and Ophelia's relationship in miniature.  It foreshadows the fact that Hamlet's doubt, paranoia, and suspicions will ultimately drive Ophelia away from him and into madness.