The Madness Of Hamlet English Literature Essay.
Hamlet’s Madness “I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw” (II. ii. 376-7). This is a classic example of the “wild and whirling words” (I. v. 134) with which Hamlet hopes to persuade people to believe that he is mad.
When the Ghost tells Hamlet about Claudius’s murder, Hamlet responds strangely: he tells his friend Horatio and the watchman Marcellus that he is going to pretend to be mad.
Hamlet’s conduct and behavior clearly shows someone who was in control of himself and using his pretended madness as a cover for his revenge on Claudius. He displays cunning, nerve and purpose.
Madness in Hamlet In Hamlet, by Shakespeare, the theme of madness is a prevalent theme which is portrayed through several characters in the play. The initial point at which madness is evident is when Hamlet is left to seek revenge upon the murderer of his father.
The question of Hamlet’s sanity is one that has been questioned since the moment Hamlet was first performed. Madness is one of the main elements driving the plot and as the play progresses, Hamlet’s depiction of a madman becomes increasingly believable. His feigned madness is a mere ploy for vengeance on Claudius and should not be mistaken.
Hamlet’s madness was not because he was insane but because he was angry. Hamlet was angry with all the people that betrayed and played him. With all the enraged anger at Gertrude, his mother, marrying the murderer of his father, the murderer of his father, Claudius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern spying on him, and Ophelia not conversing with him.
This madness grows even stronger when Claudius promises “no wind of blame”(Act IV.Sc7,66) when Laertes kills Hamlet. With Claudius being the puppet holder and Laertes being the puppet, Claudius turns Laertes into a savage beast to avenge for his fathers’ death; perhaps this is what the Claudius has planned all along.