The Great Actor in Hamlet
Hamlet is sane, not insane. He is putting on an act making people think that he is really insane when he is really just acting. Hamlet was ordered to avenge his fathers death by his father's spirit. The spirit told Hamlet that how he died. The spirit said that he was sleepong in his garden when the uncle came and poured poison into his ear. The spirit told Hamlet to avenge his death by killing his uncle. Hamlet wanted to prove that his uncle really killed his father. His uncle married his mother shortly after the murder of Hamlets father. I think Hamlet is crying inside beacuse he suspects what really happened.
People think Hamlet is insane but he is really only acting. After Hamlet has spoken to the ghost, and Horatio and Marcellus find him, emotionally disturbed he says, "As I perchance hereafter shall think meet to put an antic disposition on... to note that you know aught of me--this do swear". (Act 1, scene 5, line 191-192, 201) This means if I (Hamlet) act crazy in the future, don't take it seriously, I am just acting. Hamlet acting crazy will help him prove that his uncle indeed killed his father.
Hamlet wanted to know if what his father's spirit told him about his uncle killing his father was true, so he got the best actors he could find and reenacted what he though the death of his father was like, to see what his uncle's reaction would be. When he saw his uncle storm out of the room he knew it was true. If he were insane he could not have thought of such a good plan to "catch the conscience of the King" (Act 2, scene 2, line 634).
Hamlet wanted the king to think he was insane. The king did think Hamlet was insane. The King talking to Rosencranz and Guildenstern says, "something have you heard of Hamlet's transformation, so call it, sith nor th'exterior nor the inward man resembles that it was." (Act 2, scene 2, lines 4-7). Hamlet wanted the king to think he was insane because he didn't want the king to interfere with his plan to find out if he really killed his father. He acted insane because he knew if he did the king would stay out of his way and he would have time to put his plan into operation.
Hamlet knows himself that he is not insane. If he was insane he wouldn't be able to say "but my uncle-father and aunt-mother are deceived... I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw." (Act 2, scene 2, lines 399-402) This is saying that Hamlet is putting on an act and is really not insane.
Even though he wasn't insane Hamlet is a coward. He says it himself "of thinking too precisely on th'event (A thought which, quartered, hath but one part wisdom and ever three parts coward)". (Act 4, scene 4, lines 44-45) He says he is a coward about killing his uncle. His fathers spirit told him to do that. Hamlet thinks he should kill his uncle but he can't bring himself to do it.
Hamlet is putting on a act that he is insane but he is really not insane. He wanted to know if his fathers spirit was telling the truth so he put on a play and reenacted his fathers murder. Hamlet wanted the king to think he was insane so he would stay out of his way so he could put his plan into effect. Hamlet knows himself that he is not insane. He also knows that he is a coward because even though he wants to, he can't bring himself to kill his uncle.Partner sites: Rottweiler, Spanish immersion program Spain, and Free Death of a Salesman Essays