Throughout the play Hamlet, by Shakespeare, the character hamlet appears insane as he speaks in incomprehensible, baffling language. Hamlet 's ambiguous madness appears controlled at times, and at others he seems irreparably erratic. Despite the ambiguity of Hamlet 's lunacy, it is clear he uses his absurdity to gain an advantage over the king. Hamlet feigns madness in order to attain his objective of misleading Claudius and his attendants to believe he is mad to protect himself, and always remains in complete control of his psyche despite other character 's doubts.
After swearing to follow the ghost 's request, Hamlet tells Horatio that he will begin "to put an antic disposition on" (I, v, 192). Hamlet acts mad to disconcert and confuse the …show more content…
Polonius is the first character to voice his concern that Hamlet is mad as he tells Claudius "Your noble son is mad" (II, ii ,99). He believes Hamlet is mad because his daughter, Ophelia, has resisted Hamlet 's love. As Polonius interacts with Hamlet and begins to recognize his clever manner, Polonius counteracts his initial claim by saying, "Though this be madness, yet there is/method in 't" (II, ii, 223, 224). Polonius realizes Hamlet may be feigning madness as his actions are logical in nature and may have a purpose. The king is unsure of Hamlet 's madness as he commands his henchmen, to "Get from him why he puts on this confusion" (III, i, 2). He says "Madness in great ones must not unwatched go," because he fears what Hamlet 's madness could be a pretense for his secret plans (III, ii, 203). Claudius soon recognizes Hamlet 's actions as melancholy and not lunacy as he says "What he spake, though it lack 'd form a little./Was not like madness" (III, i, 177, 178). Claudius quickly diminishes his concern of Hamlet 's pretense by sending him to England to be killed as he says "I like him not, nor stands it safe with us/To let his madness range" (III, iii, 1, 2). "In this the king is insincere, and seeks not the truth but his own personal ends," as described by Crawford, Claudius soothes his fears by sending Hamlet away for personal benefits and safety …show more content…
Hamlet is describing the depression he feels over his father 's death and mother 's remarriage, wishing that he would die and his "flesh" would "melt." As Hamlet says "To be or not to be---that is the question," he discusses his intentions to commit suicide as he is, what would now be considered, clinically depressed (III, i, 64). As Hamlet waits for the completion of his plan to "catch the conscience of the king", he sparks an internal philosophical debate on the advantages and disadvantages of existence, and whether it is one 's right to end his or her own life (Mabillard). Hamlet is not mad, but melancholy, from which stems his appeared madness. Hamlet 's madness stands in stark contrast to the true madness of Ophelia, as it differs in origin and symptoms. Hamlet 's madness is questioned by others, as it is planned and controlled and comes in intervals, while Ophelia 's is intermittent and
After swearing to follow the ghost 's request, Hamlet tells Horatio that he will begin "to put an antic disposition on" (I, v, 192). Hamlet acts mad to disconcert and confuse the …show more content…
Polonius is the first character to voice his concern that Hamlet is mad as he tells Claudius "Your noble son is mad" (II, ii ,99). He believes Hamlet is mad because his daughter, Ophelia, has resisted Hamlet 's love. As Polonius interacts with Hamlet and begins to recognize his clever manner, Polonius counteracts his initial claim by saying, "Though this be madness, yet there is/method in 't" (II, ii, 223, 224). Polonius realizes Hamlet may be feigning madness as his actions are logical in nature and may have a purpose. The king is unsure of Hamlet 's madness as he commands his henchmen, to "Get from him why he puts on this confusion" (III, i, 2). He says "Madness in great ones must not unwatched go," because he fears what Hamlet 's madness could be a pretense for his secret plans (III, ii, 203). Claudius soon recognizes Hamlet 's actions as melancholy and not lunacy as he says "What he spake, though it lack 'd form a little./Was not like madness" (III, i, 177, 178). Claudius quickly diminishes his concern of Hamlet 's pretense by sending him to England to be killed as he says "I like him not, nor stands it safe with us/To let his madness range" (III, iii, 1, 2). "In this the king is insincere, and seeks not the truth but his own personal ends," as described by Crawford, Claudius soothes his fears by sending Hamlet away for personal benefits and safety …show more content…
Hamlet is describing the depression he feels over his father 's death and mother 's remarriage, wishing that he would die and his "flesh" would "melt." As Hamlet says "To be or not to be---that is the question," he discusses his intentions to commit suicide as he is, what would now be considered, clinically depressed (III, i, 64). As Hamlet waits for the completion of his plan to "catch the conscience of the king", he sparks an internal philosophical debate on the advantages and disadvantages of existence, and whether it is one 's right to end his or her own life (Mabillard). Hamlet is not mad, but melancholy, from which stems his appeared madness. Hamlet 's madness stands in stark contrast to the true madness of Ophelia, as it differs in origin and symptoms. Hamlet 's madness is questioned by others, as it is planned and controlled and comes in intervals, while Ophelia 's is intermittent and