Was Hamlet's madness feigned or genuine?

Answer 1

Hamlet's madness begins as feigned, to distract from the fact that he is attempting to kill Claudius as revenge for Claudius killing Hamlet's father. He even tells Horatio and Marcellus not to be concerned if they see him acting strangely because he will be putting on an "antic disposition" (Act 1 Scene 5).

However, the farce of his madness can be questioned later as the play continues. Hamlet is under incredible stress and pressure, with his love interest Ophelia breaking up with him, his obsession with killing Claudius, his mother's hasty marriage to Claudius himself, and his madness seems more and more genuine. His blow-up at Ophelia in Act 3 Scene 1 is one such example. After first saying he did love her, he reverses and insists he did not, then orders her to "get thee to a nunnery," amongst other orders and insults. How much of this is just an act and how much is genuine madness is continually debated.

Other examples include Hamlet's irrational and hasty actions throughout the play, such as his murder of Polonius through his mother's bedroom curtain without even knowing who it was hiding there (Act 3 Scene 4).

There is no definite answer as to whether Hamlet's madness truly is an act throughout the play or whether he does begin to genuinely go mad. His words and actions must be carefully evaluated and interpreted and his personal situation must be understood in order for each reader to come up with a personal opinion on this question.