Act Two Scene Two, involves the dialogue of Hamlet making a statement towards Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that reflects both his humanism and nihilism. Hamlet was educated in the new human philosophy thus his individual thoughts lead him to express a humanistic admiration of Renaissance man by using concrete terms: “What a piece of work is man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties!” (II, ii, 282-283) This is evident to show how Hamlet emphasizes that he values man. Hamlet’s humanism reflects once again when he believes that man is a marvel; this is evident by the way he admires man to be close to perfection. Also, Hamlet secretly wants to celebrate this humanist ideal but he is uncertain if this is an ideal that can be achieved.
