A central problem of Shakespeare's Hamlet is the question of the main character's sanity. Is Hamlet driven insane by the message of a ghost that his Uncle Claudius has killed his father in order to usurp the throne and marry Hamlet's mother? Hamlet is understandably upset by the ghost's accusation and confused for a time about the wisest course of action. But he is not insane: His statements and actions reveal a rationality that is both cunning and determined.
             Hamlet's behavior often appears wild and tortured throughout the play. But it is important to recognize that he is torn by conflicting feelings. He is by nature gentle and fair, and yet he is bound by his love for his father and by honor and duty to avenge his father's murder. Furthermore, if the ghost's message is true, Hamlet's own life is probably in danger. Annd Hamlet cannot even be certain that the ghost's message is true. Given his painful and difficult sittuation, Hamlet's behavior in the play is the intelligent attemp of a sensitive man to deal with a heartbreaking and confusing set of circumstances. He decides to seem mad to the rest of the court in order to buy himself time to decide what to do.
             Hamlet's own statements indicate his rationality. Early in the play, Hamlet tells his friends Horatio and Marcellus that he will feign madness, and he makes them promise not to break their oath of silence even if they see him act strangely. Shortly afterward, Hamlet admits ina soliloquy that he cannot simply act on the ghost's accusation. He needs to prove his uncle's guilt before avenging his father's death.
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