Is Hamlet Mad?

"I will be brief. Your noble son is mad," states Polonius (II, ii, 91) . Ophelia exclaims, "O what a noble mind is here o'erthrown!" (III, i, 153). "Alas, he's mad," concludes Gertrude (III, iv, 106). Claudius even instructs Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to escort Hamlet to England because "it [is not] safe with us/To let his madness range" (III, iii, 1-2). Essentially, each supporting character questions Hamlet's sanity, and most conclude he is indeed mad. General consensus can …

…in them. Hamlet wrestles with Laertes in Ophelia's open grave, a completely inappropriate and possibly condescending act. Hamlet also jumps onto a pirate ship alone, without anyone to back him up, without any assurance of survival. Moreover, Hamlet orchestrates the death of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, his dear friends who are not part of his avenging plan. Finally, Hamlet stabs blindly through a curtain, killing Polonius. Then, Hamlet will not reveal where he hides Polonius' body.