nd himself shows that not only does he not care about the damage he causes, but also that he has a mask and it. If he has a mask of madness, then it proves that he cares not for Ophelia. His actions towards her are atrocious, his attacks basically unnarrated. After she kills herself, Hamlet finds her grave site and says, from his true self, ^УI loved Ophelia, Forty thousand brothers/ could not with their quantity of love/ Make up my sum.^Ф If Hamlet loved Ophelia so, then he would not have treated her so badly. His madness was a mask, no matter how thin, that covered up his resentment of Ophelia, and women in general. He treats his mother horribly, threatening her, and forcing her to submit to his will. Also Hamlet shows his real self by forging a death warrant for them, and having them killed without their last rites. This unabashed cruelty is not madness- it is Hamlet himself. His madness is a simple cover to mask his real doings and feelings.Everyone in Hamlet has a mask. These all serve to provide their ^Уinner selves ^У with protection, and also to enable them to receive something that they want to get. From the women wanting a perfect world; to Claudius seeking to convince everyone of his kindness, while inside he is venomous, and to Hamlet and his mad masking of his inner spite and indecisiveness. The theme of masks is developed early on, and reaches a climax where all characters at one time hear false appearances. And as such, this theme is the control basis for the actions of the characters in the play....
