Hamlet Essay- Interpreting Madness

Hamlet’s method of madness is shown in the first act by his actions and dialogue to the other characters. Gertrude, the queen, notices a change of character, and asks Hamlet. He responds to her by saying, “Seems, madam? Nay, it is. I know not ‘seems’” (Act I, scene ii, pg. 37), which he tells the Queen that he is what he appears to be. His method for his madness is pronounced by Hamlet when he talks to Horatio, “As I perchance hereafter shall think meet to put an antic disposition on” (Act I, scene v, pg 60) This clue shown here tells us that his madness is not an illness, but pre-meditated. This is Hamlet’s intention of staying in a frame of mind beyond the minds of others.

Hamlet’s madness is so complex because deep inside he displays many qualities. The madness displayed shows the game that he plays with Claudius. He knew that he had to be smart in killing Claudius because he was the king. Madness was the key to his solution, and to his freedom of expression of his inner most feelings. This madness was a quest for truth, a truth in which we all must face at one time in our quest-filled lives.

Hamlet resumes the role of madness in Act four by hiding Polonius’ body. The king finds Hamlet in which he reveals the place where the body is to be found. The king filled with anger inside decides to send Hamlet to England. There, plans of execution were in the future for Hamlet, “By letters congruing to that effect the present death of Hamlet. Do it England, for like the hectic in my blood he rages, and thou must cure me.”(Act IV, scene iii, pg 125)

Some topics in this essay:
Denmark” Shakespeare, Act II, Act III, Rosencrantz Guildenstern, Hamlet Hamlet, Hamlet Afterwards, Hamlet Ophelia, Gertrude Hamlet, Hamlet England, Gertrude Claudius, ii pg, scene ii, scene ii pg, hamlet’s madness, iii scene, ii scene ii, ii scene, act iii scene, scene pg, king hamlet, act iii, play hamlet, ii pg 86, act scene, iii scene pg,