The Feigning Of Madness

A detailed Summary of The Feigning Of Madness


Madness is often portrayed as random actions of insanity. However, Shakespeare's tragic hero, Hamlet shows this is not true. His apparent madness was actually a series of pre-meditated actions. After meeting with his father's ghost, Hamlet cunningly devises a plan to "put an antic disposition on"(fake his madness) (1, 5, 192) in order to seek more answers to this mysterious death of his father.

Although very convincing, Hamlet's "antic disposition" does not completely fool everyone. While Hamlet is enjoying mocking Polonius, Polonius begins to believe "though this be madness, there is method in 't" (2, 2, 223-224), hinting that he is on to Hamlet's act. Claudius is also suspicious of Hamlet's apparent madness. After witnessing the meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia, he makes the decision to keep an eye on Hamlet, saying "madness in great ones must not unwatched go" (3, 1, 203). Because Claudius isn't sure what Hamlet is planning he warns that Hamlet must be carefully watched. The king sees Hamlet "will be some danger, which for to prevent" (3, 1, 181) he sends him off to England. Claudius realizes that the madness that Hamlet is showing could be dangerous to himself, or his kingdom and hastily makes a decision to


The approach Hamlet takes when faced with a problem is rather cautionary. He analyzes the situation from as many angles as possible. The thought process Hamlet goes through to give himself approval to act on an emotion shows that he is in fact sane. Hamlet questions his conduct after seeing the intense acting performed by one of the players in Act 2 Scene 2. He begins to call himself cowardly for a player "in a fiction, a dream of passion" (2, 2, 579-584) could show more emotion than he could. But after careful consideration, Hamlet decides to trust his instinct. Before proceeding rashly he wants to prove to himself without a doubt Claudius is guilty, thus proving he is not a madman on the loose. He plots a scheme where he will "have [the] players/ Play something like the murder of [his] father" (2, 2, 623-624). He will watch Claudius and if he should "blench" Hamlet will know he is the true murderer of his father. This shows Hamlet's ability to exploit a simple performance in order to attain the evidence he needs. This would be impossible for anyone not well in the mind. Even after the King's guilt is proven at the theater with Horatio as a witness, Hamlet uses his better judgment and does not kill Claudius when he sees him praying. Se

Some common words found in the essay are:
Rosencranzt Guildenstern, Seeing Claudius, England Claudius, , Hamlet Ophelia, Polonius Polonius, Hamlet Polonius, Ophelia Gertrude, Polonius Hamlet's, antic disposition, 2 2, mad hamlet, hamlet mad, mad hamlet mad, makes decision, ghost hamlet, apparent madness, 3 1, noticing hamlet, hamlet true, Claudius Polonius,

Approximate Word count = 849
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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