What impression does the audience have of Hamlet by the end of act one?

Hamlet is introduced to the play in act one. Amongst the eerie atmosphere of tension and unease the fact that he does not actually speak until scene two stimulates intrigue about his character in the audience. Hamlet's first soliloquy gives us a first glimpse of his inner thoughts, and helps us to understand his character better. The speech is particularly important to the audience because Hamlet conceals his true feelings from the other characters around him. Also in act one we see Polonius and Laertes' obvious dislike for Hamlet. As close friends of Claudius, they do not trust him, and w…