Blog 8

Hamlet after knowing truth from his father’s ghost pretends to be mad as to disguise his intention. But in pretending so, many times he crosses the boundary we usually consider to be of sanity. He himself considers being balance and calculated acting insanity as he proclaims to Guildenstern - “I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.”(2.2.247-48). Four persons his mother Gertrude, his uncle now king Claudius, his lover Ophelia and Polonius at some time considers Hamlet mad while on other same consider him sane and each has their own perception regarding Hamlet’s madness.
Polonius : I found his version of Hamlet madness most funny and illogical and he can’t see beyond the horizon that since as per his advice his daughter had denied him, Hamlet is mad. I could not imagine as close aid to king and a high position courtier as him can not see the truth that a prince second to throne whose father died a month ago and whose mother has married within that month to another person, could have any other rational reason to madness expect that he is disappointment with his mother. For Polonius it’s just a “ecstasy of love” (2.1.100) as his daughter says she has denied and repel his letter and access to Hamlet. Polonius declares, “That hath made him mad”(2.1.108)
Claudius: He is the one who is very close to truth in studying Hamlet psychological condition. He is successful in finding Hamlet is pretending to be what he is not. Claudius in deeper level is less concerned about Hamlet insanity than his power consolidation. Therefore in Act 3 Scene 1 when he and Polonius secretly watch Hamlet interaction with Ophelia after “To be or Not to be” Soliloquy, Claudius protests Polonius idea of madness cause by love. “Love ? His affections do not that way tend; Nor what he spake, though it lacked form little, Was not like madness. There’s something in his soul O’er which his melancholy, sits on brood, (3.1.156-60). Claudius is very cunning in maneuvering the situation and do not protest Polonius ideas of madness in Hamlet cause by his daughter neglected love and permits Polonius to check Hamlet again secretly interacting with queen. Claudius is very diplomatic when he says, “Madness in great ones must not unwatched go”(3.2.183). By now Claudius has already read much of Hamlet ‘s mind and made his resolution to send him to England but pretends to be foreign.
Gertrude : Gertrude thinks her hasty marriage has made his son alienated and eccentric and is the main method of Hamlet madness. “I doubt it is no other but the main: His father’s death, and our o’erhasty marriage.”(2.2.57). But Shakespeare has created very puzzling scenario for Gertrude in act 3 scene 4 to know about her son’s behavior when the ghost of king appears only visible to him and he starts talking with him in air which she could not see. Gertrude exclaims, “Alas he’s mad! (3.4.105). Further when her son inquire if she has not seen king she thinks her son is paranoid and tries to pacify her. “This is the very coinage of your brain. This bodiless creation ecstasy Is very cunning in. (3.4.137-39)
Ophelia : In whole play it seems that Ophelia is devoid of her own opinion regarding anything including her lover Hamlet and always rely on her father for judging and analyzing the situation. She is unable to read development of Hamlet’s misogyny, cause by his mother’s action, when he talks hatred of woman in general. It’s interesting to note in the same act 3 scene 1 where though Ophelia is closer to Hamlet than Claudius watching them secretly, Claudius is more accurate in reading Hamlet. It’s the only place where she reveals her mind regarding Hamlet. Oh what a noble mind is here o’erthrown! The courtier’s, soldier’s,scholar’s, eye, tongue, sword, Th’expectancy and rose of the fair state, The glass of fashion and the mould of form,…………………That unmatched form and feature of blown youth Blasted with ecstasy. Oh woe is me (3.1.144-55)

Ophelia and her father views are parallel regarding Hamlet madness while Gertrude by end of act 3 believes Hamlet in partially mad caused by her hasty marriage, his affection to his father and hatred of his Uncle Claudius. Claudius unlike other is very accurate that Hamlet is projecting an image which he is not. Therefore for him Hamlet is not mad but a dangerous element to his throne and his life.