is in deep indecision. The ghost tells Hamlet that his brother, Claudius, killed him by pouring poison into his ear. But Hamlet is unsure whether the ghost is honest or a devil trying to trick him. He thinks:

“The spirit that I have seen may be a devil.”

He wants proof before taking revenge. Then the idea of the play comes to his mind when a group of traveling actors visits Elsinore. Hamlet decides to stage a play to confirm Claudius’s guilt. He says,

“The play’s the thing

Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.”

Hamlet plans that the play will closely copy the way his father was murdered. If Claudius reacts with guilt, Hamlet will know the truth. This clever plan shows Hamlet’s intelligence. So, this play within the play also gives a new direction to the story.

The Performance and Claudius’s Reaction: Claudius asks Hamlet what the play’s name is. Hamlet says the play’s name is The Mousetrap. When the performance begins, the royal court gathers to watch it. The play shows a scene where a man pours poison into the ear of a sleeping king. Claudius cannot bear to watch. He suddenly stands and shouts:

“Give me some light. Away!”

He leaves the room in great confusion. This dramatic reaction is enough proof for Hamlet. It confirms that the ghost was telling the truth. For the first time, Hamlet’s doubt turns into certainty. The play within the play reveals Claudius’s hidden crime. So, this scene becomes a moment of discovery and excitement in the story.

A Turning Point in Hamlet’s Mind: Before the play, Hamlet is lost in hesitation and fear. He keeps thinking, delaying, and questioning himself about the revenge. He suffers from deep mental pain. He even contemplates death as we learn from his famous soliloquy:

“To be or not to be, that is the question.”

But after seeing Claudius’s guilty reaction, Hamlet gains confidence. He feels ready to act. So, this play within the play becomes a turning point in the play. Moreover, Hamlet’s emotional excitement after the play also leads him to rash actions, such as killing Polonius by mistake later that night. Thus, the play within the play changes Hamlet’s mental state and pushes the action forward toward tragedy.

Rising Conflict: The scene also increases tension in the story. Claudius now knows that Hamlet suspects him. His mask of innocence falls. From this moment, Claudius becomes more dangerous. He secretly plots Hamlet’s death by sending him away to England. In this way, the play within the play not only reveals the truth but also begins the final conflict between Hamlet and Claudius.

In conclusion, the play within the play is one of the most important scenes of “Hamlet.” It proves Claudius’s guilt, removes Hamlet’s doubt, and turns the story toward its tragic ending. It changes both the hero and the villain, setting them on a path of revenge and destruction.