During Hamlet's soliloquies, Shakespeare creates the illusion of insanity through structure, with spontaneous, erratic speech. ... Most Shakespearean characters that, through their speech, reach a firm decision will conclude on a Shakespearean rhyming couplet. ... Gertrude plays a major role in the origin of Hamlet's madness, as without her Claudius would have less motivation for murdering his brother. This becomes the root of Hamlet's quest for revenge, and the hatred he holds towards Claudius and Gertrude, as he tries to save her from "things rank and gross in nature" [I.ii.13...

• Word Count: 1550
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School