There is historical proof that William Shakespeare based his rendition of Hamlet on a classic, traditional, Norse saga. In this original narrative, a story unfolds where a king is killed by his brother, who then marries the dead king's widow. A young prince must pretend to be mad in order to save his own life, all the while avoiding traps laid by his wicked, incestuous uncle. Eventually, the you

He falls to such perusal of my face

And, with his other hand thus o'er his brow,

For out o' doors he went without their helps

At last, a little shaking of mine arm,

He took me by the wrist and held me hard.

As it did seem shatter all his bulk

And to the last bended their light on me. (II. I. 99-112)

Although Hamlet was hiding his true mental status at the beginning of the play, his stability becomes fuzzier and fuzzier as the plot unfolds. His passion builds to the point where it controls his actions and he begins to truly lose his mind. When Hamlet is given a last ditch effort to prove his sanity to his mother, one of the few whom he truly cares for and holds in high regard, his actions do nothing but further his case of insanity. Hamlet makes an honest effort in trying to convince his mother that he's not crazy, but in his decaying mental state he ends up seeing a ghost, and killing Polonius. "My pulse as yours doth temperately keep time and makes as healthful music. It is not madness that I have uttered." (III. IV. 160-163). Hamlet states as a final plea. However, his mother sees only what has become of her son, a once loyal prince turned lunatic.

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Approximate Word count = 1028
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)