Hamlet First Impessions

After reading Act 1 Scene 2 in Hamlet, I couldn't help but feel bad for Hamlet. It seems like his world kind of flipped upside down; his dad died and his mom practically abandoned him. Yikes.
Hamlet must feel like he's on his own in this situation. He seems to be the only one actually mourning his father's death. When Hamlet wears black clothing to honor his father, Claudius and Gertrude are bothered by his clothing and tell Hamlet to "cast thy nighted color off" (1.2.70). The king and queen further express their insensitivity when they try to convince Hamlet to get over the death, telling him that mourning too long would be "unmanly grief" (1.2.98).

Not only is his mother not faltered by her husband's death, she married within a month, and ran "With such dexterity to incestuous sheets" (1.2.163)! Instead of grieving with Hamlet, his mother just remarries his uncle. SUSPICIOUS! Hamlet obviously does not approve of their marriage, questioning "why she married with [his]/uncle,/[his] father's brother, but no more like my father/Than [he] to Hercules"(1.2.153-158). From what I can tell, Hamlet's father was a noble king, and Hamlet makes me picture Claudius as a selfish and chubby brother who can not even compare to Hamlet's father. It is clear Hamlet's and Claudius' minds operate differently. Claudius reeks of greed, while Hamlet shows honor in family.
Hamlet really doesn't deserve any of this. My first impression has led me to believe Hamlet is an honorable and noble prince.

When Horatio and Bernardo deliver news of the apparition appearing in the form of his father, it sparks Hamlet with a little hope. Perhaps by communicating with the ghost Hamlet will unravel the secrets of his family. Honestly, I can respect Hamlet for not just accepting the hand he was dealt with. It can be easy to just go with the flow. It's not like his royal life ended. Hamlet is still "the most immediate to [the] throne" (1.2.113), but instead of just waiting to be king he remains respectful to his family and continues to side with his father.