Hamlet: Method In The Madness

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evidence, while Ophelia's breakdown is quick,
but more conclusive in its precision. Shakespeare offers clear evidence
pointing to Hamlet's sanity beginning with the first scene of the play.
Hamlet begins with guards whose main importance in the play is to give
credibility to the ghost. If Hamlet were to see his father's ghost in
private, the argument for his madness would greatly improve. Yet, not one,
but three men together witness the ghost before even thinking to notify
Hamlet. As Horatio says, being the only of the guards to play a significant
role in the rest of the play, "Before my God, I might not this believe /
Without the sensible and true avouch / Of mine own eyes. (I.i.56-8)"
Horatio, who appears frequently throughout the play, acts as an
unquestionably sane alibi to Hamlet again when framing the King with his
reaction to the play. That Hamlet speaks to the ghost alone detracts
somewhat from its credibility, but all the men are witness to the ghost
demanding they speak ...

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No, you will reveal it. (I.v.118-21)

This is the first glimpse of Hamlet's ability and inclination to manipulate
his behavior to achieve effect. Clearly Hamlet is not feeling cheerful at
this moment, but if he lets the guards know the severity of the news, they
might suspect its nature. Another instance of Hamlet's behavior
manipulation is his meeting with Ophelia while his uncle and Polonius are
hiding behind a curtain. Hamlet's affection for Ophelia has already been
established in I.iii., and his complete rejection of her and what has
transpired between them is clearly a hoax. Hamlet somehow suspects the
eavesdroppers, just as he guesses that Guildenstern and Rosencrantz are
sent by ...

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