Hamlet: A Sane Man?

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Recommended: Analysis on Hamlet's personality

Throughout William Shakespeare’s famous novel, Hamlet, many questions have gone unanswered. One of the most controversial questions deals with the main character of the novel- Hamlet. Is Hamlet really insane or is he just putting on an act of insanity? William Shakespeare does a good job of making Hamlet seem insane throughout different scenes of the novel. Throughout the book, Hamlet dealt with many tragedies that lead to his emotional strain such as his own father’s murder, his mother’s suspicious marriage to his uncle, and witnessing his father’s ghost, seeking revenge. All of these events could lead one to madness. Through Hamlets cleverness and strong willed personality, he found a way to put on an act and trick everyone into letting their true personality show through.

First, Hamlet attempts to trick Ophelia, Claudius, and Polonius through his wit. Polonius came up with a hypothesis for Hamlets actions. Ophelia’s father, Polonius, ran to the King and queen and declared that he knew the answer for Hamlets madness. Polonius stated in act three, scene one, “but yet do I belie...

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