Richard Dodenhoff English 102 March 27, 2001 Insane in the Membrain? According to Webster's New World Dictionary madness is defined as "mental derangement that makes a person incapable of what is regarded as rational conduct or judgement." There is much madness in Shakespeare's Hamlet; written around 1600, but Prince Hamlet is not included in the insane camp. Throughout the play Hamlet's seemingly irrational behavior served quite rational and sometimes ingenious ends. The Madness of Hamlet is certainly counterfeit and …showed first 75 words of 1232 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1232 total…anger when seeking his revenge. He was emphatic and wild, whereas Hamlet was controlled and rational. Examples throughout the play show that Hamlet was in no uncertain terms completely and absolutely sane. He was rational and invariably conscious of his actions. In comparison to other characters in the play Hamlet's sanity is clearly defined. Hamlet knew that a falsified madness would hold off opposing forces long enough to seek revenge, and brilliantly played the part.