Hamlet Essay

Kevin Lis 

Mr. Cohen

ENG4U

December 12, 2025

Method to Hamlet’s Madness: Strategic or Insanity?

Madness has fascinated audiences for centuries, especially when it is unclear whether it is real or fake. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the prince of Denmark presents a puzzling mixture of strange behaviour, cleverness and calculated actions that make both the characters in the play and the audience question his sanity. Although Hamlet appears mad to those around him, Shakespeare shows that his madness is mostly an act, carefully performed to protect himself and uncover the truth about his father’s murder. Through Hamlet’s deliberate plan to appear insane, his strategic use of madness in public and his moments of clear control in private, it becomes evident that there is a method behind his behaviour rather than genuine insanity. 

Hamlet’s madness near the beginning of the play is clearly a performance rather than a real loss of control. Hamlet first reveals that his madness will be an act when he tells Horatio: “As I perchance hereafter shall think meet to put an antic disposition on” (Shakespeare 1.5.72). This shows that Hamlet is planning to act strange on purpose in order to deceive others and hide what he knows about his father’s murder. Hamlet shares this plan privately with Horatio through calm dialogue; it proves that he is thinking clearly and fully aware of his actions, not actually losing his mind. This idea is supported by scholar Claud C. H. Williamson, a reliable source published in the International Journal of Ethics by Oxford University Press, who argues that “Hamlet is never mad: the poet's treatment is so clear on this point that I can only express astonishment that any different view should have crept into criticism” (93), showing that Shakespeare makes Hamlet’s control very clear. This academic view supports the idea that Hamlet’s behaviour is part of a deliberate plan rather than genuine insanity. The word “antic” means playful or odd, suggesting a performance is being displayed rather than actual insanity. Furthermore, the phrase “put on” acts as a metaphor similar to putting on clothes, showing that Hamlet can put on and take off his madness whenever he wants. Through dialogue Hamlet calmly explains his plan to Horatio demonstrating logical thinking and awareness, something an insane person does not have. Thomas also supports this idea arguing that Hamlet “fakes his madness as a strategy" (Archer), proving that there is a clear method to Hamlet’s madness. This links to Shakespeare's life, as he lived in a time when speaking out against the kings or people in power could be dangerous. As Shakespeare himself wrote in Hamlet:  “Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice” (1.3.73), highlighting the need to be cautious with words and revealing that hiding one’s true thoughts was a matter of survival.

Building on this controlled behaviour, Hamlet carefully selects when to display madness in public, using it as a tool to confuse others and protect himself. When he says, “I am but mad north-north-west” (2.2.375), Hamlet indicates that his madness is selective and not constant. The word “but” shows that Hamlet maintains awareness and can act rationally when he chooses. Scholar Tenny L. Davis, a reliable source published in The Journal of Philosophy through the University of California Press, explains that Hamlet’s behaviour is “an excess of sanity” (630), meaning that his apparent oddness is actually a result of deep intelligence rather than true insanity. The wind metaphor in “north-north-west” implies direction and control, showing Hamlet’s ability to adjust his behaviour strategically. Through dialogue with characters like Polonius, Hamlet intentionally misleads those around him while maintaining full awareness of his actions. Jeffrey supports this idea, observing that Hamlet is “calculated in his actions” (Ion) and knows “a hawk from a handsaw” demonstrating his ability to distinguish reality from performance. This careful control of words and actions reflects the political climate of Shakespeare's era, when intelligence and humor could be misinterpreted or viewed with suspicion. Hamlet himself notes the importance of thoughtful speech: “Words without thoughts never to heaven go” (3.3.100), highlighting the strategic communication required to survive in such an environment.

In private, Hamlet further reveals that his madness is deliberate, showing that his strange behaviour is a calculated plan rather than a true loss of reason. When he tells Gertrude, “I essentially am not in madness, but mad in craft” (3.4.190), he openly acknowledges that his actions are strategic. The word “craft” implies skill and planning, reinforcing that Hamlet’s madness is purposeful. Scholar D.J. Snider, a reliable source published in The Journal of Speculative Philosophy, which was published through the Pennsylvania State University Press,  notes that “Hamlet’s behaviour seems uncertain only because it is carefully performed, not because he has lost his mind” (72). In this private conversation, Hamlet speaks calmly and logically, contrasting with the confusion he creates publicly, which shows that he is fully aware of his actions. Ellen supports this interpretation stating Hamlet “is not truly mad” (Beatty), reinforcing the idea that his behaviour is an act rather than genuine insanity. Shakespeare uses these private moments to reveal the truth, reflecting the social reality of his time when people often hid their true intentions in public. As Hamlet explains to Gertrude, “I must be cruel only to be kind” (3.4.179), showing that appearances can be deceptive and that strategic action, rather than impulsive madness guided his behaviour. 

In conclusion, Hamlet’s behaviour throughout the play supports the idea that his madness is not genuine but carefully controlled. His decision to showcase an “antic disposition” shows that his actions are planned rather than impulsive, while his use of madness in public allows him to mislead others and gather information without raising suspicion. In private moments, Hamlet demonstrates clear thinking, logical reasoning and emotional control further proving that he is fully aware of his actions. By using madness as a disguise rather than a weakness, Hamlet turns others' expectations against them, reminding the audience that appearance can be deceptive and that true intentions are often hidden beneath the surface.

Work Cited

Archer, Thomas. Hamlet Presentation. Blyth Academy. Tuesday December 9,2025

Beatty, Ellen. Hamlet Presentation. Blyth Academy. Tuesday December 9,2025

Claude C. H. Williamson. “Hamlet.” International Journal of Ethics, vol. 33, no. 1, 1922, pp. 85–100. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/2377179. Accessed 9 Dec. 2025.

Davis, Tenney L. “The Sanity of Hamlet.” The Journal of Philosophy, vol. 18, no. 23, 1921, pp. 629–34. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2939352. Accessed 9 Dec. 2025.

Ion, Jeffrey. Hamlet Presentation. Blyth Academy. Tuesday December 9,2025

Shakespeare, William, and SparkNotes. Hamlet: No Fear Shakespeare Deluxe Student Editions - Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English. SparkNotes, 2020.

Snider, D. J. “HAMLET.” The Journal of Speculative Philosophy, vol. 7, no. 1, 1873, pp. 71–87. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25665823. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.