Shakespeare brings fictional beings into the reality of audiences by creating extraordinarily attractive and relatable characters complete with unique and complex psychologies. As a result, themes of conflict between the conscious and the subconscious of the characters are possible. This theme is particularly notable when what the players said, had meaning beyond the surface of the words. For instance, in Act III Scene iv of Hamlet is a particularly revealing scene of the play. This encounter gives the audience insight into the psyches of Hamlet and Gertrude. To completely understand the workings of this scene, I will consider the significance of the setting, as well as the language and characteristics of Gertrude and Hamlet that came into play during encounter.
             It is interesting to note that Shakespeare chose to set this meeting in the private quarters of Gertrude's closet; a closet is an unusual place for a mother to invite her son into. A closet is a place where belongings are put away forgotten about, or hidden, so what does Gertrude's closet say about her? Certainly she had many things pushed to the back of her mind and forgotten about (which Hamlet will not hesitate to remind her of), such as the recent death of Old Hamlet. The location reflects intimacy of the encounter, as well as the personal contents of the conversation that takes place there.
             Now one must consider the characteristics of Hamlet which come into play in this particular scene. The words of Hamlet have meaning beyond the surface of the text. What he does not say reveals things about him that he is possibly not aware of. This meaning far beyond the surface of the words stands as evidence of a subconscious (**).For instance, the intimate connection Hamlet shares with is Gertrude is hinted at in his reference to his mothers "inmost part" (III, iv, 20). It is possible that Hamlet was referring to his mother's soul, or perhaps her womb W...