After Hamlet has discovered that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are false friends who are acting on behalf of King Claudius, Hamlet tells the two that he knows that the King thinks he is mad, and says, "I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw" (2.2.378-9). Literally, Hamlet is saying he is mad only when the wind blows in one particular point of the compass, north-north-west. In other words, he is mad only at certain times, or in certain situations.
If sanity can be metaphorically identified with a compass that points true north, then Hamlet is playing with the trope here, saying that his supposed madness is only a little bit crazy; he is not too far off the mark. Polonius himself observes that Hamlet's apparent mad statements have some "method"; he isn't allowing himself to stray very far from his true intentions, even when he is sorely pressed to do so. Probably his craziest moments are immediately after the Ghost's revelation in Act I when Horatio and Marcellus speak with him.
he was ready to get some
outward appearances of grief are not the same as grief itself.
You mean William Shakespeare's Hamlet? It was written around 1600.
This expression does not occur in Shakespeare's Hamlet anywhere.
Why is Hamlet still mourning his father's death after a wedding
In Shakespeare's "Hamlet," the line "but mad north-northwest" is spoken by Hamlet when discussing his state of mind with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. It implies that while he may appear mad, there is a method or purpose to his madness. This phrase suggests that Hamlet is playing a strategic role to achieve his goals despite appearing unpredictable or irrational.
he was ready to get some
outward appearances of grief are not the same as grief itself.
A set of laws the government made for the North West only.
More matter with less art' is a quote from Shakespeare's famous play, Hamlet. In a modern context it generally means 'less talk more action'.
This quote comes from the play 'Hamlet' by William Shakespeare. It refers to the fact that there is incest and murder going on in the Danish royal family.
the hamlet
You mean William Shakespeare's Hamlet? It was written around 1600.
This expression does not occur in Shakespeare's Hamlet anywhere.
Black Hamlet
Well, it means just what it says - Territories in Canada that are in the north west. NWT as they are often written are in the very far north of Canada and in the west.
This is from Hamlet. What it means is that Hamlet suspected his father was murdered. Which he was, but at that stage he didnt know this.