Hamlet

"" (89) These words sound as those of an amorous lover, but at their next meeting, Hamlet cross-stances and speaks with coldness and derision, "Get thee to a nunnery (meaning a brothel), farewell."" When Polonius questions her on this subject, whether Hamlet was mad for her love, she replies, "I truly do fear it."" (79) No matter the circumstance, Hamlet's mistreatment of Ophelia defies reason, even for the sake of his disposition, and thus can be considered foolish or extravagant and senseless. .
             Claudius and Gertrude are in accordance in their view on Hamlet's sanity. He has none. Not a whit. To verify this, they send Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to speak with Hamlet, and find out decisively whether or not he is insane, and if so, to discern the cause. The two infiltrators confer with Hamlet, but "with a crafty madness, (Hamlet) keeps aloof,"" (123) and they are unable to scrye his motives. The queen ultimately finds the conclusive evidence, for when Hamlet slays Polonius, Gertrude cries, "alas, he's mad (177) mad as the sea and wind when both contend which is mightier."" (189) His own mother finds him insane, and who knows him better than she? .
             The answer to the above question is, of course, Shakespeare himself. The appearance of a ghost is a strong reason to question a man's sanity, but that issue aside, we must assume that Shakespeare intended the ghost to serve a purpose. When the ghost first appears, others are able to apprehend the ghost's presence, although Hamlet is the only one to hear it speak. This is Shakespeare telling the audience something that no other character knows, providing insight. Hamlet bases ALL of his actions in the play upon something that may or may not have existed, and his actions are therefore not governed by reason. Shakespeare cements his message, and Hamlet's complete downfall into raving lunacy later in the play, when the ghost appears to him a second time, when he is talking with Gertrude.