Feigned and Permanence
By: Millicent
In Hamlet both Hamlet and Ophelia are able to speak freely behind the mask of
their madness. The reaction that Hamlet and Ophelia have regarding their fathers’ deaths
is what drives them mad. Hamlet and Ophelia are also both children of controlling
parents, and they are forced to do things they do not want to do. Their madness leads
them both to their deaths. Although Hamlet and Ophelia are very different from one
another, their madness serves a common purpose to mask and disguise their emotional
agony but it ultimately leads to their tragic deaths.
The death of Hamlet’s and Ophelia’s fathers prompts their madness. The day
Hamlet realizes that his father’s murderer is his stepfather and uncle overwhelms him.
Therefore, he suggests to feign madness, “As I perchance hereafter shall think meet / To
put an antic disposition on.” (I. V. 172-173) He pretends to be mad so that he can safely
investigate his father’s murder without alarming others with his snooping. Ophelia’s
madness begins when she realizes that her father is dead in Act Four Scene Five as she
absently sings of him being “dead and gone.” (IV. V. 26-30) She has a bad habit of
constantly granting her father’s wishes without question, and heavily relies upon her
father’s guidance. As a result, she loses her mind when he is gone. Hamlet’s and
Ophelia’s loss of their fathers initiates their madness whether feigned or real.
Both Hamlet and Ophelia have parents who use controlling behaviours, which
compel them to commit to acts they have no desire to do. Hamlet’s father, Elderly
Hamlet, who is murdered by his brother Claudius, reappears in apparition in Act One
Scene Five and orders Hamlet to “take revenge for his horrible murder.” (I. V. 84-86)
The Ghost reveals every detail about the punishment he suffers, which rouses Hamlet
forward. Hamlet compares himself to a player who acts with rich expressions even
though the situation means nothing to him, whereas he is unable to take action for
someone he deeply cares. (II. II. 544-548) Although Hamlet has the passion to avenge his
father’s death he struggles and feigns madness for assistance. Additionally, Ophelia’s
father, Polonius prevents Ophelia from seeing her lover Hamlet. Polonius manipulates
her to try and solidify his and Ophelia’s position in the court by not allowing Ophelia to
see Hamlet or receive any token of love from him. (II. II. 132-135) Ophelia obeys her
father’s wishes without question even though she still wants to see Hamlet, which
ultimately leads to her true insanity. Hamlet and Ophelia’s controlling parents compels
them to do things they do not want to do.
The madness Hamlet and Ophelia experience eventually leads to their deaths.
Hamlet pretending to be mad directs Ophelia to her true insanity and Polonius’ death,
“How now, a rat? Dead for a ducat, dead!” (III. IV. 24) His terrible actions both
accidental and intentional initiates Laertes and Claudius joining forces to murder Hamlet
for revenge on Laertes’ part and to strongly hold the position as king for Claudius.
Additionally, Ophelia’s true insanity leads to her suicide, in that after her father’s fatality,
she approaches the king and queen with songs about death, love and sex, “How should I
your true love know / From another one? / White his shroud as the mountain snow—.”
(IV. V. 19-32) Ophelia’s grief for her father’s death, and the feelings of pain and betrayal
she feels for the unrequited love Hamlet gave Ophelia, initiates her to commit suicide.
Hamlet feigning madness and Ophelia’s unfortunate events that lead to her true insanity
ultimately lead to their tragic deaths.
In Hamlet both Hamlet and Ophelia are able to speak freely about their feelings
due to their madness. Hamlet and Ophelia’s reaction regarding the executions of their
fathers prompts their madness. Both Hamlet and Ophelia are force to take jobs they have
no interest in doing by their controlling parents. Hamlet pretending to be mad and
Ophelia’s true insanity leads them to their tragic deaths. Despite the differences between
Hamlet and Ophelia, their madness whether feigned or real serves a central purpose to
hide and conceal their emotional agony, instead gives death the path to destroying their
lives.