How Does the Setting Affect the Character

The setting for the most part takes place in the Castle in Elsinor. This has an affect on Hamlet's actions and behaviour. The castle gives him the perfect place to be alone and think. He is able to plot and plan, perhaps too much. If he had been in a say more distracting, open environment or one where he was in closer quarters with others he may have spent less time plotting and would have challenged Claudius right off the bat. The labyrinth of tunnels, halls, high up vantage points and concealed niches also allows Hamlet the opportunity to effectively spy and listen in on others. In the film he hides and sees Rosencrantz and Guildenstern  go directly to report to the king after leaving his own company, prompting him to be even more suspicious of them. He also overhears Ophelia agree to Polonius's demand that she stay away from Hamlet. This perhaps influences the prince's to decision to pretend to be mad. He may have thought that Ophelia did not care for him all that much and so, pretending to be insane would not affect her detrimentally. Elsinor as a setting also acts as a trap for Hamlet. It forces him constantly be reminded of the duty he must perform. If he were outside of Denmark or even in a different place as the King and Queen he may have been able to think more clearly and possibly come up with a proper plan of action to get back his throne. Finally, the grey walls of the castle and it's dimly lit interior create a rather dark atmosphere which may have helped fuel Hamlet's anger and his depression in which he contemplates suicide.