Does Hamlet Pretend to Be Mad?
Despite the Evidence That Hamlet Actually Is Mad, We Also See Substantial Evidence That He Is Just Pretending. the Most Obvious Evidence Is That Hamlet Himself...
Despite the evidence that Hamlet actually is mad, we also see substantial evidence that he is just pretending. The most obvious evidence is that Hamlet himself says he is going to pretend to be mad, suggesting he is at least sane enough to be able to tell the difference between disordered and rational behavior.
How does Hamlet fake madness?
In his feigned madness, Hamlet convinces Ophelia and her father Polonius that his madness is caused by his love for Ophelia. Unfortunately, Hamlet's plan does not work out the way he hoped because he accidentally kills Ophelia's father, whom he mistook for an eavesdropping Claudius.
Where does Hamlet say he is pretending to be mad?
This happens in act 1, scene 5, on line 192. He entreats them to swear that they will tell no one that he is only acting mad. This is the first instance of Hamlet acknowledging his plan to seem mad. In act 2, scene 1, the audience seems to get confirmation that Hamlet's pretending is working.
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