Throughout the course of history, the art of manipulation has dated back to biblical times and the story of Cain and Abel. Some people use it to gain power, while others use it to further their success in their endeavors. This theme is often repeated in Shakespeare's epic tragedy Hamlet. Hamlet uses these manipulations on several occasions throughout the story. First, he uses manipulation and deceit to avenge his father's death. Secondly, the reader sees how his manipulations of Ophelia and Polonius eventually lead to their deaths. And lastly, the reader sees how the manipulation is turned on Hamlet himself and leads to his own demise.
             The inspiration for Hamlet's first manipulation comes about when he is visited by the ghost of his late father. During this visit, Hamlet learns that his uncle, Claudius, murdered his father to gain the throne of Denmark. Hamlet knows that he must kill Claudius to ease his father's tortured soul. To accomplish this, Hamlet knows that he must act crazy to draw attention away from himself. Hamlet explains this when he tells Horatio, "How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself,/ As I perchance hereafter shall think meet/ To put an antic disposition on"(1.5.170-172). This is the first indication from Hamlet that he will be acting crazy from this point on. In Hamlet's mind, he believes that by acting this way it will be easier for him to be able to kill Claudius. What Hamlet doesn't count on is how his insane behavior will draw speculation from the people around him. The first to begin to inquire about his behavior is Ophelia's father, Polonius.
             He states his desire to uncover Hamlet's reason when he says ,"Mad let us grant him, then: and now remains/ That we find out the cause of this effect,/ Or rather say, the cause of this defect,/ For this effect defective comes by cause"(2.2.100-103). With this desir
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