It was in his source. An essential part of the Hamlet story is that Hamlet feigns madness to keep his profile low while he plots the downfall of his uncle. Thus we hear that Hamlet will "put an antic disposition on" immediately after seeing the ghost. In the sources, Hamlet's assumed lunacy convinces his uncle that he is not a danger, so that he doesn't do Hamlet in. In Shakespeare's story, Claudius is not so easily fooled, and he does try to do Hamlet in, but it is his political sense and his love for Gertrude which keep him from doing it in an obvious way. Hamlet gets lucky and wriggles out of Claudius's trap.
There is the additional element of lunacy in poor Ophelia. Her insanity is genuine, but unfortunately nobody believes that she drowned because she was insane, causing her to be buried without Christian rites.
It is an irony that Hamlet's fake madness takes so many people in, yet Ophelia's real madness does not.
Shakespeare leaves the madness of Hamlet to the mind of the audience; you can read it either way. If he is mad (as in "insane"), it is a madness with a purpose. At any rate, it would be a curious sort of madness that depended on the winds.
The quote "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't" is spoken by Polonius in Shakespeare's play Hamlet. Polonius says this to indicate that while Hamlet's behavior may seem crazy, there is a hidden reason or purpose behind it.
Shakespeare uses Ophelia's story to highlight Hamlet's struggles with his own madness and the consequences of his actions. Her descent into madness and eventual death serve as a tragic reflection of Hamlet's internal conflict and moral dilemmas. Ophelia’s relationship with Hamlet illustrates his turbulent emotions and inability to navigate love amidst his quest for revenge. Ultimately, her fate amplifies the themes of loss and the impact of corruption, deepening our understanding of Hamlet's character and the tragic world around him.
Hamlet's lover is Ophelia, a young noblewoman of Denmark. Their relationship is complex and marked by Hamlet's erratic behavior and feigned madness, leading to tragedy for both characters. Ophelia ultimately descends into madness herself following the death of her father, Polonius, and Hamlet's rejection. Her tragic fate serves as a poignant element in the play "Hamlet."
No, Hamlet is an only child.
Prince Hamlet was the Prince of Denmark in Shakespeare's play Hamlet.
Shakespeare uses Ophelia's story to highlight Hamlet's emotional turmoil and the consequences of the corrupt environment in Denmark. Her descent into madness and eventual death reflect the tragic impact of the political intrigue and familial betrayal surrounding Hamlet. Ophelia's struggles amplify Hamlet's own feelings of despair and helplessness, serving as a catalyst for his actions and furthering the plot's exploration of themes like madness, love, and revenge. Ultimately, her fate deepens the tragedy of Hamlet's character, illustrating the destructive power of the world they inhabit.
Hamlet is a play. It is by William Shakespeare.
Hamlet is a tragedy by William Shakespeare
No hamlet is a play by William Shakespeare
Hamlet is a play. It is by William Shakespeare.
In Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," which is often referred to as the Danish Prince, Prince Hamlet is haunted by the ghost of his father, King Hamlet. The ghost reveals that he was murdered by his brother Claudius, who has since taken the throne and married Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. This revelation sets Hamlet on a path of revenge and exploration of themes such as madness, morality, and the nature of existence.