In the play "Hamlet- Prince of Denmark", Shakespeare incorporates two personas throughout the play that aroused many minds for ages. These two conflicting behaviors displayed throughout the play by Hamlet consist of one being very calm and decisive, however, contradicting this behavior exists sheer madness. The constant battle of seeking revenge of his father bore this madness inside Hamlet, so that he can seek refuge for his actions and inactions. Hamlet's sanity questioned constantly, making this play unique.
Hamlet's method of madness is shown in the first act by his actions and dialogue to the other characters. Gertrude, the queen, notices a change of character, and asks Hamlet. He responds to her by saying, "Seems, madam? Nay, it is. I know not "seems"" (Act I, scene ii, pg. 37), which he tells the Queen that he is what he appears to be. His method for his madness is pronounced by Hamlet when he talks to Horatio, "As I perchance hereafter shall think meet to put an antic disposition on" (Act I, scene v, pg 60) This clue shown here tells us that his madness is not an illness, but pre-meditated. This is Hamlet's intention of staying in a frame of mind beyond the minds of others.
In act two, his words were spent more than his actions. His will to seek revenge is halted until the end of the act. During this time, Gertrude and Claudius received some information from Polonius about the source of Hamlet's madness. Polonius tells them that Hamlet's madness came from his daughter, Ophelia, in that she "ceased" to love Hamlet no more. They agree to use Ophelia as bait to find if these accusations are correct. Afterwards, Polonius meets with Hamlet, in which Hamlet displays his alternate persona to mock Polonius. Polonius concludes Hamlet's madness by stating "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't." (Act II, scene ii, pg 73) He knows that Hamlet's persona has more meaning than just being mad.
