Questions 7 & 14

Question #7: Hamlet expresses that he is likely to put on an “antic disposition” (I.v.172) because he is planning on seeking revenge on King Claudius. Hamlet’s behavior is obviously a deliberate strategy, although he has demonstrated much anger and grief due to his father’s recent death. Hamlet has portrayed himself as unstable and vulnerable, but the one thing that he is not is a fool. He is certainly aware of what he is achieving through his slightly manic behavior; his desires of getting revenge on Claudius quickly become his ambition.

Question #14: Hamlet’s assertion that “there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so” proves his act of vulnerability and weakness that he is putting on infront of everyone. He is intentionally trying to portray himself as down and depressed, when he is really only thinking about having revenge on Claudius. In addition, Hamlet says “I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw” (II.ii.330-31) which, also, clearly demonstrates the few hints that he is not actually mad. Someone who is actually mentally ill does not have the ability to decide what time of the day or week he or she will be mad. Hamlet is definitely acting so that when he takes revenge on Claudius, he will not have seen it coming.