... origin of the play to be a man of "virtues pure as grace" and clear intelligence. Yet as the play develops, Hamlet is shown to be feigning madness "I am but mad north-north west" as he himself recognises. Shakespeare uses an antic disposition in Hamlet to explore the realities of the corrupted place around him, a technique that attempts ... , "the pretended madness of Hamlet causes much mirth." Over time Hamlet becomes increasingly mad as he goes from certain action "ill wipe away from all trivial fond records" in Act 1 to describing his previously certain action as "mad in craft." This ...

• Word Count: 782
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate