ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -1) Claudius’ word-choice of “why he puts on this confusion” suggests that Claudius believes that Hamlet might be pretending to be mad. Following his talks with Hamlet, Rosencrantz replies to Claudius that, “with a crafty madness [he] keeps aloof” (Shakespeare 3.1.

Detailed explanation-2: -Hamlet tells his mother that he is not mad, “but mad in craft” [Act III, Scene iv, lines 188-199]. Hamlet believes in his sanity at all times. He never doubts his control over psyche.

Detailed explanation-3: -Despite the evidence that Hamlet actually is mad, we also see substantial evidence that he is just pretending. The most obvious evidence is that Hamlet himself says he is going to pretend to be mad, suggesting he is at least sane enough to be able to tell the difference between disordered and rational behavior.

Detailed explanation-4: -Hamlet answers the worried calls of Horatio and Marcellus, telling them nothing specific but demanding that they both take an oath to tell no one what they have seen and heard. In confidence, Hamlet tells Horatio that he will pretend to be mad so that he may spy on his mother and uncle.