The captain compares fortune, which seems to favor Malcolm at first, to a prostitute who favors a man for a short time and then leaves him shortly afterward. Another simile used early in this play is, “…and pity like a naked new-born babe” (Shakespeare 39). This quote compares Macbeth to a new-born babe. This simile shows that Macbeth’s pity is that of a new born baby. Additionally, William Shakespeare uses another simile early to hint at Macbeth’s downfall; “Doubtful it stood, as two spent swimmers, that do cling together, and choke their art” (Shakespeare 9).
He insults Polonius calling him a Whore-Monger. After this exchange Polonius remarks “Though this be madness, yet there is method in't” (II, II, 204). Meaning that Hamlet could be mad but that there seems to be intent behind his madness. When Rozencranz and Guildenstern visit Hamlet he receives them kindly until he learns they are spying for his mother. He then increases his feigned madness.
Shakespeare has chosen to insert comedy into his play as it reliefs the reader from the very depressing scenes that happened through out the book and changes the reader’s perspective on the characters. Comedy was added to the play it two main parts and many small sections in different scenes. One of the main Scenes that had a big role in the comedy in Hamlet is Act 2 Scene 2, the scene where the first meeting that happened between Polonius and Hamlet. Hamlet enters the room, and he immediately insults Polonius by calling him a “fishmonger”, then Hamlet says directly after it “Then I would you were so honest a man”, complementing him by calling him an honest man. Hamlet was trying to be clever with Polonius as he kept asking him questions that he already knew the answers to such as “…have you a daughter” pretending that he does not know that Ophelia is his daughter.
. . If Hamlet were thought of as truly mad, then his entrance and his exits could convey no meaning to sane persons, expect the lesson to avoid insanity. But it needs no drama to teach that. (Alexander 2-3) Still, there are those who argue that although Hamlet was pretending, he has lost his mind after all.
Polonius effectively demonstrates notions of corruption throughout the play. As Polonius himself is corrupt and false he cannot think of others as genuine. In Act 1, Scene 3, Polonius interferes with his daughter’s relationship with Hamlet - doubt’s Hamlet’s integrity, sincerity and affection for Ophelia, “Do not believe his vows” Polonius elucidates his corruption and falsity at the very beginning of Act 2, when he gives Reynaldo money to spy on his own son Laertes’ behaviour in Paris, through devious and indirect methods such as lies, “Inquire... and there put on him what forgeries you please”. Shakespeare’s examination of corruption through the interaction and relationships apparent between Hamlet and Gertrude,
Polonius observes “There is method” in Hamlet’s madness (ii, 197). Give an example of something important that Hamlet utters under the guise of madness that he probably would not say openly in a more rational way. Hamlet says the phrase “Wild and whirling words” (II.v.137) signifying that he was under a guise of madness and was actually completely sane. He says “I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw” (II.ii.376-7) He is trying to fool people into believing he is mad, and Polonius sees that there is structure and method in his madness. Truly mad people do not have any method in their madness.
Who does it, then? His madness. If’t be so, Hamlet is of the faction that is wronged. His madness is poor Hamlet’s enemy. (5.2.217) Therefore, Hamlet is essentially begging Laertes for forgiveness.
This is also shown with Polonius’s un-trust worthiness for Hamlet. As to with Laertes who feels the exact same way as his father. Paolo Feliciano Mr. McCarthy A.P. Lit Examination Act 2 Open Ended Questions 1. After the slow transition from Hamlet’s mournful state, to his ever growing state of madness, does his madness itself become his primary mode of communication with the other characters?
Why the Antic-Disposition? Hamlet’s path to revenge is filled with deceit, intrigue, and murder, but one must ask, why the “antic-disposition” (1.5.192)? As a plot device, its only purpose is to provide comic relief for the groundlings by having Prince Hamlet insult Polonius, Guildenstern, Rosencrantz, and King Claudius in witty and humorous ways, such as calling Polonius a fish-monger, or describing Claudius as his mother because “man and wife is one flesh” (4.4.61). Nobody, not even Claudius, has an inkling that Hamlet knows that his father was murdered, so why the deception? To throw them off as he performs his own inquiry?
Also, he tells Laertes that when I insulted you I did not mean it on purpose it was due to my insanity. “Was hamlet the one who insulted Laertes? No, not Hamlet. If Hamlet is robbed of his own mind, and insults Laertes when he’s not really himself, then Hamlet’s not guilty of the offense. Who is guilty, then?