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Why Is Hamlet Crazy

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“Hamlet” is one of Shakespeare's most famous plays, following the tragic story of Prince Hamlet. Many readers heavily discuss the subject of Hamlet's behavior and an abundance of arguments arise about whether he was crazy or not. Throughout the play, “Hamlet,” he displays many instances of both sane and insane behavior, so it’s tough to tell what he really is. Hamlet is a mysterious character and his madness is a part of his revenge plan. Although many people seem to believe that Hamlet is crazy, in actuality he feigns his madness. The most profound piece of evidence some readers use to argue against his madness comes from Act 1 Scene 5, which reads, “How strange or odd soe’er I bear myself As I perchance hereafter shall think meet To put an antic disposition on.” Hamlet himself is saying that he’s pretending to be crazy. He does this multiple times, and it indicates that he’s clearheaded enough to realize that his behaviors are just an act. His next moves are all just part of his revenge plan on Claudius for killing his father. Using his madness, Hamlet was able to successfully deflect any suspicion King Claudius had about him early on. It’s clear to …show more content…

In Act 2 Scene 2; the library scene, after Polonius and Hamlet have their talk; Polonius says, “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.” He suspects that there’s a major goal behind his actions, and he’s right. Even King Claudius doesn’t believe, later on, that Hamlet is genuinely mad. During Act 3 Scene 1, Claudius and Polonius conspire to plot a plan to spy on Hamlet while Ophelia returns a gift she received from him. Hamlet is aware that they’re spying and appears insane; starting an argument and making a big scene, but in reality, he has a sound reason why he’s acting like this, and it’s to confuse Claudius and Polonius. After Hamlet leaves Ophelia, King Claudius says, “Nor what he spake, though it lacked form a little, Was not like

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