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Summary Of Hamlet. Summary Of The Play Hamlet By: Amanda Wellman It’sa story of
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Does Hamlet Have A Tragic Flaw? Does Hamlet Have A Tragic Flaw? Question:
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hamlet. Hamlet Summary Hamlet is the son of the late King Hamlet (of Denmark),
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Summary Of Hamlet. Summary Of The Play Hamlet By: Amanda Wellman It’sa story of
murder, betrail, hatred all rapped up in one astonishing play. ...
Hamlet. Hamlet is the son of the late King Hamlet (of Denmark), who died
two months before the start of the play. After King Hamlet's ...
Submitted by fa6ma on April 10, 2005
Category: English
Words: 1536 | Pages: 7
Views: 282
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Hamlet: Insane or sane?
Uploaded by SamSkillz (552) on Feb 22, 2004
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Was Hamlet crazy? Or only acting crazy?
Throughout Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, the main character, young Hamlet, is faced with the responsibility of attaining vengeance for his father’s murder. He decides to feign madness as part of his plan to gain the opportunity to kill Claudius. As the play progresses, his depiction of a madman becomes increasingly believable, and the characters around him react accordingly. However, through his inner thoughts and the apparent reasons for his actions, it is clear that he is not really mad and is simply an actor simulating insanity in order to fulfill his duty to his father.
Hamlet only claims madness because it allows him to say and perform actions he otherwise would be prohibited from, while keeping people from taking his actions seriously. This seems to be part of his initial plan that is first mentioned when he asks Horatio and Marcellus not to make any remarks in relation to his “antic disposition (1.5.192).” Hamlet’s madness allows him to talk to Claudius, Gertrude, Ophelia, and Polonius in a manner unsuitable for a prince. He is often disrespectful and insulting in his remarks. Although his acting backfires during his speech to Gertrude, Hamlet is able to severely criticize her for her actions because she thinks he is insane. During the play he also makes many sexual innuendos and even blatantly sexual remarks towards Ophelia such as “That’s a fair thought to lie between maids’ legs (3.2.125).” His convincing insanity act gives him the chance to vent his anger towards Ophelia for her abandonment. Similarly, in another scene, he is able to tell Polonius his true feelings through his guise. Upon Polonius deciding to “take leave” of Hamlet, Hamlet replies, “You cannot, take from me anything that I will...
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