Hamlet's use of this “bloody deed” to pivot towards reprimanding Gertrude highlights two conflicting understandings of his development (Act 3, Scene 3, Line 29). The quick acceptance of Polonius’ death hints at Hamlet’s growth in accepting of death as a part of life, while also indicating his expectation to be blocked from the consequences of his actions, which assert his immaturity. One unequivocal moment of development led to two contradictory, yet simultaneously occurring outcomes. Outcomes that Hamlet reaffirms in tandem, as he jokes of the “politic worms” that consume Polonius in death, both in understanding death’s finality and in using such topics for the purpose of childlike humor (Act 4, Scene 1, Line 26). Such instances mark the futile nature of maturity as both Claudius and Hamlet exemplify immaturity in their