at we are). Being unaware of this situation can contribute to our inability to address our feelings for others, but with Ophelia’s state of mind she was unconcerned with what others thought and so she was able to make such a profound statement. However, the other "sane" individuals encompassed in Hamlet are reduced to doltish utterances like those made by Polonius. The kings closest advisor believes he has found the source Hamlets madness and says " ‘mad’ call I it, for, to define true madness, what is’t but to be nothing else but mad" (II.ii.93-94). His explanation of Hamlets madness proves to be Petition Principi (circular reasoning) because he says that hamlet is mad because he is mad. This in essence is no explanation at all but a means to an end. Falsified Madness also acts as a metaphorical crutch, upon which one can rest their apprehensions and worries as to what others reactions will be. Hamlet is able to directly insult Polonius, saying that he would be lucky to be as honest as a fish monger. He is free from the responsibility of having to deal with the reverberations of his actions. As depicted through the psychology of Sigmund Freud, an individual is far more inclined to act in a manner that is reflective of his or her true feelings if he or she is free from responsibility and has a sense of safety. This feigned madness provides Hamlet with the loss of responsibility and sense of safety required for complete and utter honesty. This honestly allows for the reader to understand the extent of Hamlets opinions on all that is going on around him. So in a way this mental clarity achieved by Hamlet contributes to the clarity achieved by the reader. The character of Hamlet is challenged time and time again with twists and turns that life brings. Hamlet is able to deal with this through a loss of responsibility that is induced by his false madness. Unable to deal with what his mother has done Ham...
