Hamlet's Construction of Sanity

In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet many characters appear to suffer from what appears to be mental instability, most notably Hamlet, Ophelia, and Gertrude. The apparent “madness” of these characters develops and drives the plot, which results in the play’s tragic ending. It is the reader’s responsibility to decipher which characters are actually mentally ill and which are merely pretending. Furthermore, it is important to keep track of which characters believe other characters are mentally ill. The most important of these is Gertrude, Polonius, and King Claudius’ belief that Hamlet is mad. Gertrude’s suspicion is confirmed by Hamlet’s slaying of Polonius and then shortly after his discussion with the ghost of King Hamlet, whom his mother cannot see. Shortly after the ghost leaves, Hamlet tells his mother, “No, in despite of sense and secrecy,/Unpeg the basket on the house’s top./Let the birds fly, and like the famous ape,/To try conclusions, in the basket creep/And break your own neck down” (III.IV.196-200). In this passage Hamlet instructs his mother to tell King Claudius what has happened. When Claudius discovers the apparent madness of Hamlet this begins a large series of events that leads to the death of all of the main characters.

The above passage uses a simile, personification, and a pun to draw the reader’s attention to its importance. The most noteworthy of the figurative language comes in this line, “Unpeg the basket on the house’s top” (III.IV.197). The line instructs Gertrude to reveal to Claudius the events that just transpired. However, to “unpeg” “the houses top” is a pun, which refers to tricking Claudius (the houses top) into believing that Hamlet is indeed insane. This line is followed by a simile: “Let the birds fly, and like the famous ape/To try conclusions, in the basket creep” (III.IV.198-199). According to the footnotes, the story of the famous ape is no longer known, so it is impossible to understand the allusion and what comparison Shakespeare is trying to make. However, it is presumed that the audience of the day would understand the reference. For modern reading it simply shows the reader it is an important passage because of the use of figurative language.

In addition, it is important to notice the use of the word “basket” in this passage. The line, “Unpeg the basket on the house’s top” (III.IV.197) appears to be a saying similar to “letting the cat out of the bag” i.e. revealing a secret or telling Claudius what happened. Moreover, the second use of basket seems to refer to Claudius’s mind or head. This strengthens the pun uses earlier in the “houses top” by referring to what Claudius is thinking, or should think about Hamlet.

The above quote sets up a huge piece of dramatic irony in the play. The audience is aware that Hamlet is not truly insane because they have seen the ghost and understand Hamlet’s intentions. However, Gertrude and Claudius are unaware of this and merely think that Hamlet has gone mad. This prompts Claudius to banish Hamlet and ask the King of England to execute Hamlet upon his arrival in England. Upon Hamlet’s return to Denmark the king makes new plans to kill Hamlet, which results in the deaths of Gertrude, Claudius, Hamlet, and Laertes. The use of figurative language in the above passage helps to drive the dramatic irony in the play. Hamlet wants his uncle, King Claudius to believe he is mad. The line, “To try conclusions, in the basket creep” (III.IV.199) refers to Hamlet’s desire to trick Claudius into thinking he is mad. Hamlet wants Claudius to come to the conclusion the Hamlet is insane, although he really is not, so Hamlet can achieve his revenge.

This passage is extremely important to the action of the play. These lines set up the action for the rest of the play and incite Claudius, Gertrude, Ophelia, and Laertes to take action in some way or another. It is here that Shakespeare begins to set up for the dramatic denouement where all the main characters die. The actions of Hamlet coupled with the dramatic irony that Shakespeare is establishing make these lines extremely important to the outcome of the play. Shakespeare’s use of figurative language here draws the reader’s attention to the importance of these lines.