etween Hamlet's conscious and raw desires that are clear signs of Price Hamlet's sanity. Hamlet shows a comprehensive understanding of his actions and their consequences throughout the play. Having a golden opportunity to assassinate king Claudius, however he opted for a more optimal time. "Now might I do it pat, now he is praying;/ And now I'll do it - and so he goes to heaven;/ And so I am reveng'd: - that would be scanned: . . . " (III. iv. 73-75). Knowing that seeking his revnge then would send Claudius strait to Heaven; which didn't seem like a suitable punishment for the crime of regicide he committed, he waits until Claudius would get what he deserves. The King's failed attempt to assassinate Hamlet shows the reader a mooment of Hamlet's brilliance and yet another point against the case of Hamlet's apparent madness. In scene ii, act II the King petitioned two of Hamlet's "friends" Rosencrantz and Guilderstern to inquire what the reasons for Hamlet's peculiar behavior are. Later, in scene iv, act IV; the king seeing Hamlet as a serious threat to his throne reorders the two execute Hamlet. After catching wind of the two's intentions Hamlet jumps ship onto an attacking vessel, while en route to exile in England. Knowing Rosencrantz and Guilderstern won't follow into an uncertain future at the hands of the attackers, Hamlet, using his noble credibility sends his own orders to England; to kill Rosencrantz and Guilderstern as soon as they land and without quesstion. This elaborate scheme was not thought of by a madman, but a rational and brilliant individual. Hamlet's relative sanity is shown clearly when in contrast with the actions of other characters in the play. King Claudius' sick obsession for power leads him to the brutal murder of his own brother, adultery, and massive gluttony (Winser 7). Hamlet's murders; one of revenge against Claudius, another in a duel, and one by mistake are of a much more noble basis than the petty gr...
