Hamlet's Feigned Madness

A detailed Summary of Hamlet's Feigned Madness


In many of Shakespeare's plays, we can see the definite use of appearance versus reality. Appearance versus reality is such a popular tool that is used in Shakespeare's masterpieces because it can be seen in our everyday lives. There are many occasions where we portray ourselves to be someone we are not as well as times when we see other people for what they are not. One of the most prominent plays in which we see the theme of appearance versus reality is Hamlet. Within the play, we see how Prince Hamlet feigns his madness in order to avenge his father's death. Hamlet's madness is feigned because he openly declares his madness; he does not act on impulse, and is in constant contact with Horatio.

When individuals openly state that they have a mental problem, it is very possible that that particular person is fibbing and just searching for attention. Most people who have a mental problem are not aware of it which can lead to unbelievable behaviour at times. Prince Hamlet was sane and just seeking the attention of individuals to prove Claudius' guilt. Directly from the beginning of the play when Hamlet speaks to the ghost, who is supposedly Hamlet's father, he tells Horatio and Marcellus:


After reading the play Hamlet, some critics might argue that Hamlet was indeed crazy because when he was in the bedroom with his mother he acted on impulse and killed Polonius instead of Claudius. One has to remember that his original intent was to kill Claudius whom he thought was behind the curtain. He did not intend to kill Polonius. "Nay, I know not: / Is it the King?" was his response to Gertrude when she asked him what he had done. He did not know that he killed Polonius and not the King, Claudius. The fact that he acted on the spur moment of impulse is irrelevant because he assumed that Claudius was behind the curtain, and it was Claudius who he meant to kill.

So grace and mercy at your most need help you.



Some common words found in the essay are:
Prince Hamlet, Horatio Marcellus, King Act, , King Claudius, Polonius Nay, prince hamlet, appearance versus reality, constant contact horatio, avenge father's death, contact horatio, constant contact, act impulse, father's death, versus reality, avenge father's, appearance versus, feigned openly declares, declares madness, openly declares, openly declares madness,

Approximate Word count = 991
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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