Throughout the novel, William Shakespeare takes his readers through many twists and turns and several characters exhibit strange or unnatural behavior, notably Hamlet. However, this leaves readers wondering if Hamlet's "antique disposition" is genuine or if it is fabricated. Many may argue that Hamlet is truly mad since this ultimately leads to his downfall, but several reasons suggest that Hamlet's madness is feigned. Although he appears to be a madman on the outside, Hamlet is sane, as evidenced by his ability to investigate his father's murder, gain new information, plot against other characters in the novel and to discover the truth. From the beginning of the novel, Hamlet gives others the impression that sadness has taken over his personality. He deplores the death of his father and the marriage of his mother to an uncle whom he does not love. We see that Hamlet is completely sane because this proves that he is emotional and is simply mourning the death of his father. Later, the ghost of King Hamlet visits Hamlet and tells him to "avenge his dastardly and most unnatural murder." This is the first sign that might suggest to some readers that Hamlet has gone mad because the average person should not see and communicate with ghosts. However, after his confrontation with the ghost, Hamlet wonders whether the ghost of his deceased father is a good or evil spirit. He says: “Perhaps it is the devil, and the devil has the power to take a pleasant form. Yes, and perhaps because of my weakness and melancholy, as he is very powerful with such spirits, he abuses me to damn me” (Act 2, scene 2, lines 561-564). This suggests that Hamlet still has his reason because he can tell the difference between right and wrong, right and wrong. A...... middle of paper ...... his once beloved friends, proving how Hamlet is able to use his false madness to distinguish his true allies from his enemies. By feigning madness, Hamlet is given the ability to safely investigate and avenge his father's murder. Hamlet is aware that hiding his actions behind his so-called madness will prevent him from suffering the consequences. There are several instances throughout the novel where Hamlet's temporary bouts of instability paint him as crazy, but we are all human and eventually our emotions will get the better of us. Obviously, Hamlet is not crazy. Madness would mean that he has lost contact with reality, even though he realizes from the beginning what he is doing and the consequences of his actions. Overall, feigning madness allows Hamlet to express his feelings without being harshly judged by others, challenge the authority of King Claudius, and adapt new ideas..