Is Hamlet Mad?

             "I will be brief. Your noble son is mad," states Polonius (II, ii,
             91) . Ophelia exclaims, "O what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!"
             (III, i, 153). "Alas, he's mad," concludes Gertrude (III, iv,
             106). Claudius even instructs Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to escort
             Hamlet to England because "it [is not] safe with us/To let his madness
             range" (III, iii, 1-2). Essentially, each supporting character
             questions Hamlet's sanity, and most conclude he is indeed mad.
             General consensus can justify almost all actions in most societies.
             As for sanity, if authorities believe you are insane then you "are"
             insane; your personal commentary is often not heeded and is dismissed.
             Hamlet's environment proves no different. The possibility that Hamlet
             feigns madness for purpose never enters most characters' minds, and to
             Claudius (the King and figurehead against Hamlet), purpose is
             irrelevant. Hamlet poses a viable threat to Claudius' throne whether
             sane or insane, and Hamlet's supposed insanity provides justification
             for detrimental action. As long as evidence supports Hamlet's
             psychosis then Claudius can rid himself of Hamlet and rule Denmark as
             he pleases. Hamlet's actions and speech on numerous occasions can
             surely support pleas of his insanity.
             Although Marcellus, Bernardo, and Horatio all witness King Hamlet's
             ghost, only Hamlet hears it speak. After this speech, Hamlet enrages,
             yelling vehement epithets about Claudius and Gertrude, pledging to
             avenge his father. However, later in the play Hamlet questions the
             validity of the apparition after assuming its sincerity initially. In
             the scene following the ghost's entrance, Hamlet's speech towards
             Horatio and guards is evasive as his mood swings erratically. Hamlet
             insists the guards swear upon his sword that they will not tell what
             they have seen, and as they perform this act, Hamlet claims to hear
             the ghost request the swearing from a sup...

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