In William Shakespeare's "Hamlet," the task of avenging his late father is bestowed upon Hamlet after learning his uncle is the one who pours poison in King Hamlet's ear. Hamlet is somewhat cautious with the information and develops a plan that he hopes will deceive Claudius into showing signs of gu...
Why He Feigns Insanity Hamlet feigns insanity because it allows him to do several things that he otherwise would be unable to do: With respect to Ophelia, Hamlet would like to express his intense, irrepressible anger towards her without arising suspicion in her or in others that he is in a hostile rational mental state. This would help prevent others in the royal household from speculating that Hamlet was rationally planning hostile actions such as killing Claudius. (The specific nature of this anger will be discussed later). With Gertrude, Hamlet would also like to express ...