Hamlet Act 1 Scene 2

• King Claudius is disgraceful man; he tries to act compassionate and mournful but all he cares about is the throne and his power. 
• Calling Prince Hamlet his son is inappropriate as is marrying his deceased brother's wife a month after his death
• Hamlet's first line basically means "Don't call me son; I don't like you." (I think I'll like Hamlet; his deadpan and cynicism is something I can relate to 
• Outward expressions of grief by the court- especially King Claudius- are just rituals, not true emotions
• Actions of unhappiness may not be true; Hamlet is calling people out for feigning grief
• Prince Hamlet hides his true emotions from Claudius and his mother Gertrude
• Claudius keeps contradicting himself: Hamlet is next in line for the throne but treats him like a child, keeping an eye on him, doesn't trust him; doesn't let Hamlet leave the country even though he let Laertes leave
• Gertrude doesn't want Hamlet to leave, to which he responds "I'll shall in all my best obey you," which basically means "I'll try but not really"
• "Hamlet" is the first of Shakespeare's plays that we see into the mind of the protagonist by the protagonist
• Prince Hamlet despises his mom marrying his uncle, whom he thinks is low, deplorable, and disgusting
• Hamlet's first monologue- he wishes he didn't have to witness his uncle marrying his mother; he would commit suicide out of anger; he bashes his mom for marrying Claudius, no loyalty to the immediate family
• When Hamlet talks to Marcellus and Horatio and they reveal that they saw the King's ghost, Hamlet asks investigative question about the appearance, actions, facts
• Before Hamlet was passionate, a kid who we thought was just angry; but at the end, he shows his witty, savvy side, humble nature, his good relations with Marcellus and Horation despite their status as guards