Insanity In Shakespeare's Hamlet

One question that is asked throughout the play of Hamlet is whether or not Hamlet has truly succumbed to his madness. After listening to the ghost of his father, Hamlet adopts an “antic disposition” in order to disguise his true intention of finding out the root cause of King Hamlet’s death. Hamlet does this by pacing frantically while reading and by confusing Polonius, calling him a “fishmonger.” Hamlet, while still acting crazy, is able to see through the lies of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern when he says “I am but mad north-north-west, when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.” Hamlet lets them know that he is only slightly crazy. Hamlet continues this display of madness with Ophelia in the garden. Their encounter quickly turns