Hamlet
...dultery and superstition. But what makes the story so ultimately interesting is Hamlet, who captures readers with his peculiar and to some strange behavior, which ultimately shapes the story. Without Hamlets character the story would have been a simple revenge case, yet when injected with feigned lunacy, philosophy and mixed love the story becomes a classic portrayal of human behavior. A scene I believe sums up Hamlets supposed ‘madness’ is in Act 2 Scene 2 lines 165-215. This is the discussion between Polonius and Hamlet, with Polonius confused and at the same time intrigued by Hamlets seemingly nonsense replies: “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t.” This aside by Polonius shows in blatant form that a lot of what Hamlet says is not simple rambling as many believe and is said, straight from the horses mouth Polonius, that what he speaks of makes some sort of sense underneath all his waffling. By creating Hamlets ‘antic disposition’ Shakespeare managed to create a character who can hide behind lunacy, strike from behind madness and speak in much as a insane manner as he likes, creating a character as canny as some think he is mad. I believe this is what creates the play. Without Hamlet the play would not keep the story in such golden retrospect. How would it be if Hamlet simply killed Claudius from the start? Not as exciting or intriguing in the least I would think. As T.S Eliot writes, the critics of Hamlet have taken much of what is said and throttled it until they see what they want. For the main, Hamlet is to be discovered for one’s self. For example the line 347 in Act 2 Scene 2 is to be read as one sees fit. “I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.” If a reader believes Hamlet mad this line may be perceived as such, with Hamlets claim to sanity nothing but more mad rambling. Yet if a reader believes Hamlet sane the line comes off in a very different manner, with more emphasis on Hamlets deceiving and tricky manner. More evidence of Hamlets sanity is shown in his ability to still plan, deceive and exult in his plan gone right during Act 3 Scene 2. In this scene we are shown how Hamlets plan to deceive the King rings t...