In Chapter XXX, Pip reaches into his pocket and finds a
playbill which Joe has given him. Quickly, he tells Herbert about the "celebrated
provincial amateur of Roscian renown." So, in Chapter XXXI, Mr. Wopsle is performing in
Hamlet at the theatre; he has changed his name to Waldengarver for
the stage. But, no only is his stage name ridiculous, so is his appearance as Pip
describes it,
My gift townsman stood gloomily apart with folded
arms, and I could have wished that his curls and forehead had been more
probable.
His performance as
Hamlet is a parody. Pip and Herbert attempt applauding, but the laughter overrides
their applause. After the serious conversation that Pip has had with Herbert in which
he has declared his love and devotion to Estella, the comic relief of Mr. Waldengarver's
ridiculous performance points to the foolish idea of people that they can make
themselves into something else as Mr. Wopsle's performance is absurb to everyone but
himself.
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