The Act of Madness by Hamlet Free Essay Example, 1500 words

The act of madness by Hamlet is very effective in establishing the guiltiness of Claudius in the murder of the king. It allows him to get the evidence he needs to prove that Claudius is guilty and sets out to sacrifice his own sanity to avenge his father s death. It is evident for him that king Claudius sacrificed his father so that he could be the king and inherit his widow in a culture where such practice was not practiced. By feigning madness, Hamlet risks his life as he sets out to kill King Claudius as requested by the ghost of his father. King Hamlet tells him that by poisoning his ear, the whole ear of Denmark / Is by a forg d process of my death / Rankly abused (1.5.36-38), and therefore he should make it clean again by killing King Claudius. Hamlet stages play The Murder of Gonzago, which he uses other characters to identify the guilt of Claudius. This play involves the murder like the one which involved his father. He stages the play in the palace while Claudius watches t hem perform. We will write a custom essay sample on The Act of Madness by Hamlet or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page This is because she immediately rushed to his father and discloses to him that Hamlet is mad. Polonius rushes to Claudius and tells him about Hamlet s madness. This shows him that the two cannot be trusted since they will tell Claudius about his plot. He also succeeds in convincing his mother that he is mad and this allows him to plan his revenge. When Gertrude hears of his son s madness, she remarks, "I doubt it no other but the main, / His father's death and our overhasty marriage" (56-57).