William Shakespeare's classic tragedy, Hamlet, is full of many timeless themes, issues, as well as problems which resurface frequently throughout its duration. In this play the main protagonist, Hamlet, feigns insanity in order to cover his inner devious and vengeful intentions. His act, albeit convincing (and teetering on the verge of not actually being an "act"), leaves the reader wondering, "Hey! Is Hamlet just pretending, or his he really crazy?" Like a good author, Shakespeare leaves Hamlet's mental condition up to interpretation by the reader, creating an outlet for some fascinating "dinner table" discussions. While pondering the ins and outs of this concept, one must be open to abstract ideas. Consider this: Hamlet's insanity act drives him insane. Rather than being one or the other, one leads to the other.
             There is historical proof that William Shakespeare based his rendition of Hamlet on a classic, traditional, Norse saga. In this original narrative, a story unfolds where a king is killed by his brother, who then marries the dead king's widow. A young prince must pretend to be mad in order to save his own life, all the while avoiding traps laid by his wicked, incestuous uncle. Eventually, the young prince revenges his father by killing this uncle (Neill 310). This basic plot parallels with Shakespeare's Hamlet in such a way that Shakespeare's young prince (Hamlet) must also be faking insanity, at least at the beginning. The rough outline of Hamlet was there, Shakespeare needed only to fill in the many small details.
             At the beginning of Hamlet's little act, he is able to switch back and forth from sanity to his crazy alter-ego depending on whom is in the room with him. In Act II Scene 1 Ophelia, obviously distraught, confronts her father, Polonius regarding Hamlet's recent behavior.
             He took me by the wrist and held me hard.
             Then goes he to the length of all his arm,
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