To be or not to be” -- “that is the...” soliloquy.
“Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to...” agree, the question that no one knows. To think,
to know, to know perchance to understand, the truth behind it all... ’ Was it, or was it
not true that Hamlet was faking his insanity, really suffering, or perhaps even both.
First, this is what insanity is; insanity is acting peculiar, but not knowing that they
are. Also, it is going through a lot of stresses at the same time causing you to not
think straight. Hamlet was not completely suffering from insanity. It wouldn’t make
sense.
First of all, I’m not saying that Hamlet was faking the whole
thing. I mean obviously, having your father die is bad enough, but to have your mother
within a month, marry your uncle. What’s more is to see the ghost of your dead father!
Obviously, that will make you a little crazy, but not to the extent that everyone
thought Hamlet was experiencing.
If it weren’t for Hamlet’s
insanity, the King (Claudius), would have obviously known that something was up with his
nephew, and surely have him killed. If Hamlet didn’t act so he made his uncle believe
that he was insane, then the King would have seen it in Hamlet’s eyes that he knew the
truth. Think about it... in today's society, if someone thinks you’re crazy, you can say
anything and get away with it. For example, someone can notion the slightest bit of
sexual harassment, and get in a lot of trouble. Whereas someone who seems obviously
insane, can say a hundred things that suggest sexual harassment and get away with it.
Look at all the trials today! Murderers are constantly pleading in court to experiencing
temporary insanity, and getting away with it! If you are believed to be insane, you can
get away with anything. That is what was on Hamlet’s mind. It was truly an ingenious
plan.
“...[I am only] mad north-by-northwest.” Anyone that
would hear that, what instantly say, he’s a nut. However, there is logic to this quote.
North being straight ahead, or up, meaning normal. Saying that it is
“north-by-northwest,” means that he is only insane slightly off to the side. Hamlet
seemed to be somewhere along the line of southwest, meaning really crazy, (south being
the opposite direction of north, hence the opposite direction of normal). Since he
states this, he can’t be truly insane. Also the way that he went from character to
character exploiting his insanity, being very careful going to this person first, and
acting this way with this, all to make everyone think he was insane, including the most
important character, Claudius. Once Claudius though he was insane, he was safe, and then
he could carry out the rest of his plan. With the soliloquy, “To be...” Hamlet knew that
he was being heard by the King, henceforth going on with his insane act. A great example
is following his “To be...” speech, when he was talking to Ophelia. He knew that the
King was listening to him. That was his chance to try to show the King that he was
insane. The way he acted around him, the madness of it all. How he kept insisting,
“...get thee to a nunnery...” That’s a mad thing to say to the woman you love. Among
those reasons, of only acting insane around certain people, leads to another example.
His private conversations with his true friend, Horatio.
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