Hamlet Essay

Hamlet is a legendary tragedy written by William Shakespeare. Though there are many renditions of the play, the importance of many quotes remains intact. Many of the dialogue presented by characters allows the audience to get a better understanding of the overall tone and theme. The words, "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't", affect the character's understanding as well as the audience's understanding of the play.

In Act II Scene II after having a conversation with Hamlet about him going mad from his strong love for Ophelia, Polonius says to the audience "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't." What Polonius was trying to tell the audience was even though Hamlet is acting crazy, it makes sense. There is a reason for why Hamlet is acting this way. Polonius could tell that Hamlet's speech was planned and in order. Polonius believed that he knew the reason behind Hamlet's madness.

What's ironic is that Polonius is right and wrong. It is true Hamlet is "acting" mad on purpose, but the reason why Polonius thinks he is is wrong. Polonius believes that Hamlet is acting out because his love for Ophelia is so strong; it drove him to it. Polonius ordered Ophelia to stay away from Hamlet which caused Hamlet to be depressed and mad. What Polonius really didn't know was that Hamlet was "acting" mad to disguise his plan to avenge his father's death. This shows that Polonius only sees what he wants to see. He is close minded and believes that what he knows is the truth.

The line, "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't" said by Polonius allows the audience to gather a better understanding of the tone as well as the overall theme of the play. It is one of the many lines that displays the dark, ironic tone of the play. It helps the audience feel the attitude of the play. This famous line also helps the audience discover the theme of the complexity of action. Throughout the play many characters address utterances, and once they act, or perform, on them they are called performative utterances. In Hamlet it's difficult for the characters to act in a controlled manner. The characters act in bold, uncontrolled actions proving that nothing is certain.

"Though this be madness, yet there is method in't" is one of the many lines in Hamlet that allow the audience as well as the characters to get a better understanding of the purpose of the actions as well as the tone and the theme. That line is a prime example of the irony that fills the play and the lengths that the characters go to to hide their actions and motives.