Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, tells the story of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. When the play begins, the ghost of Hamlets father, the former King of Demark, comes to talk to Hamlet. The ghost tells Hamlet that King Claudius was the one who poisoned him. From this point on, Hamlet becomes determined to revenge Claudius for what he did to Hamlets father. His friends and family see that affects that the death had on Hamlet by his changing personality. This is only part of Hamlets plan of vengeance. By Hamlet faking madness, he is able to get away with things he would not be able to do by being himself.
After Hamlets first conversation with the ghost, his friend, Hortatio, wants to know what happened during their meeting. Hamlet will not tell him, but says,
Here, as before, never so help you mercy, How strange or odd someer I bear myself (As I perchance hereafter shall think meet To put an antic disposition on) (1.5.189-192). Hamlet is already planning his revenge on Claudius. Part of which will be to act differently and pretend to be crazy. He warns Horatio because he knows that if his friend sees him in his madness, he will be concerned since it will not be the Hamlet he knows. The only reason why Hamlet would go this far to get revenge is because he deeply loved his father. He will do anything to get the revenge that him and the ghost seek. By saying this to Horatio, it shows Hamlet has already started planning his revenge and he knows it will not be an easy task.
Hamlet continues with this fake madness as he talks to Ophelia. Before the play at the castle, the two discuss the death of Hamlets father. Hamlet tells her that he cannot believe his mother has married just two hours after his fathers death. But Ophelia corrects him saying that it has been two months. Hamlet replies by saying, So long? Nay, then, let the devil wear black, for Ill have a suit of sables. O heavens, die two months ago, and not forgotten yet? (3.2.137-139). By pretending to be confused about his fathers death, he shows Ophelia how the death has affected him. Now she believes Hamlet has gone crazy because of his fathers death like the others. Hamlet wants Ophelia to think this so then she will have sympathy towards him and will look at his actions. She will think he has gone mad because the death took a toll on him. This shows the love Hamlet has for his father. He has sacrificed the relationship he had with Ophelia to try and make his plan successful.
When Hamlet kills Polonius while talking to his mother, Hamlet says, Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell. I took thee for they better. Take thy fortune. Thou findst to be too busy is some danger (3.4.38-40). Hamlet kills Polonius mistaking him for Claudius. But when he sees that it is Polonius he killed, he does not show any signs of regret for this in front of his mother. He simply says that it was a mistake and forgets about it. Hamlet wants to show Gertrude this new side of him so she can see that he has changed. Hamlet knows that if Gertrude starts to believe that her son is crazy like the others have told her, she will see how the death of his father has scarred him.
Hamlet is able to follow through with his plan of revenge by the way he acts. From the beginning, he has his plan mapped out and even warns Horatio of his fake madness. He tries to make Ophelia and Gertrude feel sorry for him by being crazy and make them think this has happened because of the death of his father. Hamlet was never insane, he faked insanity to get revenge out of the love he had for his father.
Already have an account? Log In Now
4569