Antic Disposition In Hamlet Essay

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The Antic Disposition of Hamlet: The Prince of Denmark
In the tragedy by William Shakespeare; Hamlet: The Prince of Denmark, the character Hamlet’s madness turns into his reality rather than an antic disposition. Although, madness is a condition that is difficult to conclude whether it is true or not, Hamlet does go mad during his journey to avenge the death of his father. Hamlet goes on to accomplish his task without being noticed, he decided to put on an antic disposition in the beginning but by the end it becomes his reality. Consequently, he goes on to display episodes of erratic behavior. The writer of this tragic play; William Shakespeare leaves the audience to conclude whether Hamlet is just putting on an act of antic disposition or not just truly mad. Throughout the play Hamlet’s madness is question and explored through his actions of real madness, feigned madness and the reactions and opinions others have towards his madness.

For instance, Hamlet’s madness can be viewed as acts of feigned antic disposition. For examples in the exchange of words that Hamlet had with Polonius he is extremely sarcastic. In one in particular Hamlet goes on to ridicule Polonius while taking advantage of his antic disposition. Hamlet states, “Slanders, sir; for the satirical rogue says here/ that old men have gray beards; that their faces are wrinkled; their eyes purging thick amber and/ plum-tree gum” (2.2, 197-199). Hamlet uses his act of antic disposition to insult Polonius indirectly by making an allusion from the theme of his book to fit the physical description of Polonius. Ingeniously Hamlet’s use of sarcasm conveys that he has not completely lost his mind and is not mad. Another piece of evidence that supports that Hamlet’s madness i...

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...l disease” meaning he cannot be cured in their eyes. His madness is no longer excuse with the grief over his father’s death, his mother’s marriage, or disappointment over love. During the Renaissance, madness was viewed as a disease that you acquired by letting the devil into your life. Claudius ordered that distance be kept to himself with the assumption that he has a ‘disease’ and is dangerous.
Hamlet’s madness is questionable through Hamlet’s actions of real madness, feigned actions, and the reactions and opinions others have towards his madness. Throughout the play Hamlet’s acts antic dispositions progressively lead his downfall from feigned actions to real madness and the reactions of others to his actions further prove his state of mind as being unstable. .His madness becomes his overall reality throughout his journey to avenge the death of his father.

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