Hamlet: Feigned vs Unfeigned Madness

1187 Words3 Pages

Throughout the history of English literature, William Shakespeare delved into the mental component of humanity, and the disputed consequences that arise from this human mentality. The most famous revenge tragedy play, Hamlet, is an excellent illustration of Shakespeare’s study of human nature. In Hamlet, the arguable issue of Prince Hamlet’s mental health makes the readers to have two conflicting beliefs: one that shows support for a feigned madness, and the other one that stands up for an unfeigned madness. Madness is defined as an “Extreme anger, excitement, or foolishness.” (“Madness”), and “Ideas or actions that show a lack of good judgment and careful thought.” ("madness"). At the start of the play, Prince Hamlet’s plan is to pretend to be mentally ill, so that he is able to cover up his true intentions to inflict vengeance on his father’s killer. It seems clear from the theater piece that Prince Hamlet has indeed turned to true madness by believing in his own performance in the end. …show more content…

The reason why Hamlet appears to act mad is due to grief over the death of his father. While Prince Hamlet still wears black mourning clothes, Claudius interrogates Hamlet, “How is it that the clouds still hang on you?” (I.ii.66). Here, Claudius takes the role as Hamlet 's father by urging him to recover from the loss of his dead father because Hamlet has mourned too long, and to adjust to his new life in Denmark. To which Hamlet answers back, "Not so, my lord. I am too much in the sun." (I.ii.67). Hamlet 's sarcastic response precisely informs King Claudius that Hamlet is too much a son at this moment that King Claudius has married Hamlet 's mother. Queen Gertrude follows by begging her son to “cast thy knighted color off” (I.ii.68). Neither King Claudius nor Queen Gertrude realize that they have built up Hamlet 's aberration by marrying in less than two months after Hamlet 's father 's

Open Document