Act II, Scene 2

     In Act II, Scene II, Gertrude and Claudius are beginning to become very worried about Hamlet and how he has recently been acting. This scene is mostly about Hamlet and others trying to figure out what is wrong, or making assumptions for what the cause is. For example, Polonius claimed that Hamlet is going crazy because his daughter, Ophelia, rejected his love (2.2.125-142). And to test that fact, Claudius and Polonius wish to spy on Hamlet. Polonius has a conversation with Hamlet and during that conversation  Polonius is trying to figure him out. It seems as though Hamlet is a tad bit crazy when Polonius asks him to go outside and Hamlet says, "Into my grave" (2.2. 197). This line and the next when he says, "You cannot, sir, take from me any thing that I will more willingly part withal- except my life, except my life, except my life" (2.2.205-207). This shows Hamlet's suicidal thoughts once again; which may interpret to seem alittle crazy. It is especially important to remember that Hamlet is saying this to a person he thinks to be a common fish seller.

   However, directly after this conversation with Polonius, Hamlet says to himself, "These tedious old fools!" (2.2.209). In my opinion, Hamlet is making it seem like his "insanity" is all just an act. Therefore, the readers do not know if he really is becoming crazy or not. Hamlet says, "I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw" (2.2.351-352). In which he is basically admitting to his friend that he is only crazy sometimes. Hamlet is only trying to take revenge on his uncle for his dead father; and that may be the cause of his craziness. He may just be trying so hard to do this one thing for his father, that is is driving him a little mad. So, if Hamlet is going insane, i feel that it is for a good reason, he is not randomly going insane. In conclusion  there are times when it is clear that Hamlet is insane, he may even admit to it, but on the other hand, there are times when he acts like a normal human having normal conversations, covering up his internal conflicts very well.