Theme Of Antic Disposition In Shakespeare's Hamlet

One could argue that Hamlet's antic disposition was merely just a ruse, but throughout Hamlet by William Shakespeare all facades fade away and show Hamlet's true character. The moment Hamlet Sr. died marks the moment that Hamlet Jr. goes into a downward spiral. “O, that this too too sullied flesh would melt,Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew”(I.ii.129-130)Shows that Hamlet has lost all cause and just wants to die already.Hamlet's actions(facade) caused the death of the entire danish court.

After speaking to his father's ghost Hamlet learns the element of his father's death, Hamlet devises a plan to act crazy as to ward off any suspicion that could lead to him knowing Claudius’ guiltiness. “Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.”

(II.ii.195-196) Here Polonius expresses to Hamlet that his madness has a greater cause. Seven pages later when Hamlet converses with Guildenstern about the play Hamlet says “I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.” Hamlet explains to Guildenstern that he is only crazy at times but when he needs to perceive reality he can.

Hamlet's madness really starts to kick in Towards the middle of the play , “Now might I do it pat, now he is praying” (III.iii.77). Hamlet contemplates killing claudius, but he hesitates “And so he goes to heaven,And so am I revenged.” (III.iii.79-80). Hamlet wants to kill claudius but can't do so morally, Hamlet, afraid that if he kills claudius in the church claudius will go to heaven. Revenge taints Hamlet's intentions for the worse, “Taint not thy mind” (I.v.85). Hamlet's fathers ghost tells hamlet to not be stained over revenge. Hamlet's father only wants claudius to die but hamlet wants him to go to hell. In the next scene Hamlet comes rushing into his mother's closet, Gertrude, petrified fears for her life “What wilt thou do? Thou wilt not murder me? Help, help, ho!” (III.iv.21) her screaming causes polonius, hidden behind the arras to call for help. Hamlet thinks polonius behind the arras lies Claudius, “How now, a rat? Dead for a ducat, dead!” (III.iv.25) At first Hamlet does not know what he did, when he uncovers the body he realised who he has slain but he’s not phased. Once again the ghost visits Hamlet but Gertrude cannot see it, “On him, on him! Look you, how pale he glares!”(III.iv.126) Look at him, it's your dead husband Hamlet proclaims but Gertrude cannot see him. She fears for Hamlet's sanity, he's just talking to the air in her mind. “Do not forget. This visitation Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose.But look, amazement on thy mother sits.” Hamlet’s father tells his son to be strong, he has come to sharpen his appetite for revenge. The ghost also exclaims that Hamlet’s mother displays innocence and to not harm her.

The biggest turning point of Hamlet’s madness would bethe death of his beloved girlfriend: Ophelia.

“One woe doth tread upon another’s heel,So fast they follow.—Your sister’s drown'd, Laertes.” (IV.vii.160)Hamlet's situation has worsened 10 fold, not only has he killed his girlfriend's father he's driven his girlfriend into insanity and directly caused her suicide and he has her brother in close pursuit. Hamlet's plan of putting on an antic disposition was a good idea at first but has turned out to be a bullet in his own foot. Ophelias brother Laertes is livid, “Stood challenger on mount of all the age, for her perfections. But my revenge will come.”(IV.vii.28-29). Laertes displays his love for his sister and how perfect she was, he wants to do what is right and revenge Ophelia. Hamlet displays truly sorry for what he has done. He accepts death as something that happens to everyone. “Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy. He hath borne me on his back a thousand times, and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is!” (V.i.160-164) Hamlet feels true sadness for his old friend Yorick, he remembers riding on his shoulders as a kid. This compassion he feels for Yorick truly displays that he may indeed not be crazy but rather acting. Hamlet feels true sorrow when he figures out that Ophelia drowned. “What is he whose grief Bears such an emphasis” (V.i.231-232) He displays such anger that he jumps into a grave and starts wrestling

with Laertes. Hamlet was madly in love with Ophelia. “I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers Could not with all their quantity of love Make up my sum.” (V.i.247-248). Hamlet's love for Ophelia was so strong that even the love of forty thousand men wouldn't compare to his.

The final hurrah of the play is where ____ hits the fan.

Hamlet and Laertes have agreed to a fight to the death, but Laertes and Claudius have a trick up their sleeve. “I bought an unction of a mountebank,So mortal that, but dip a knife in it,Where it draws blood no cataplasm so rare, Collected from all simples that have virtue Under the moon, can save the thing from death” (IV.vii.138-142). Claudius really wants hamlet gone, he will do anything to achieve that. Hamlet and Laertes start to duel, both with the intent of killing the other party. Hamlet strikes Laertes with his foil. “A hit, a very palpable hit.” exclaims Osric (V.ii.272). Hamlet really gets into it now, but he shows cockyness. Claudius drops a “pearl” into the cup, in celebration Gertrude decides to drink from the poisoned cup. Hamlet tries to stop her but fails. Laertes manages to get a hit off on Hamlet with the poisoned sword. Hamlets taunts Laertes to come at him again but he was distracted, Gertrude collapses on the throne. Laertes has succumbed to his own poison “Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric. I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery.” (V.ii.301-302). Laertes was poisoned from the beginning with revenge and it finally came to bite him in the rear. Before dieing Gertrude warns hamlet of the poisoned drink, Laertes fronts to his own wrong doing exclaiming that the king poisoned the drink. Hamlet bursts into rage knowing that his stepfather would do such a thing to him. Hamlet forces his

stepfather to drink his own poison “Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damnèd Dane, Drink off this potion. Is thy union here? Follow my mother.” (V.ii.320-330). Hamlet has finally gotten his revenge that was well deserved. But it is not over, he himself has been cut with the poisoned blade. He exclaims to Horatio that god will take care of things and he will see him in heaven. Hamlet dies. Horatio being the only one who wants tainted throughout the entire play feels sorrow. Fortunately for the State of Denmark Fortinbras a true hero shows up to take the throne.

In conclusion Hamlet’s antic disposition throughout the play was the direct cause of the death of the entire danish court. From killing his girlfriend's father to killing his own (step) father Hamlet’s antic disposition would be the ultimate sacrifice. Hell maybe if hamlet didn't put on an antic disposition Poland would be a part of Denmark