Madness in Hamlet: an act or a real intention? Deception is a way of fooling the mind into believing that lies are truths and truths are lies. This is achieved through trickery and lies, and most often for a specific purpose. Selfish people use the art of deception to satisfy their own needs. In Shakespeare's tragedy, Hamlet, it is this skill that Hamlet uses to avenge the death of his father and obtain the satisfaction he has always desired. The facade of madness displayed by Hamlet was intentional, while Ophelia's deceptive facade was displayed out of distress. Although Hamlet and Ophelia appear to be driven mad by the deaths of both their fathers, their motivations for vengeance and truth were deliberate, whether they realized it or not. Hamlet, a brilliant and witty character, was almost too smart for his own good. The crazy act he performs not only convinces others of his madness, but almost manages to make them believe it is true. The facade Hamlet exhibits manifests itself when he is engaged with certain characters. In particular, when Hamlet is surrounded by Horatio, Francisco, Bernardo, the Gravedigger and the Players, he acts rationally. On the other hand, Hamlet's behavior becomes irrational when he is with Polonius, Gertrude, Ophelia, Claudius or Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. For example, during a conversation with Polonius, Hamlet says: HAMLET. Do you see this cloud that is almost shaped like a camel? POLONIUS. Through mass, and it's really like a camel. HAMLET. It seems to me like a weasel. POLONIUS. He is supported like a weasel.HAMLET. Or like a whale. POLONIUS. Very similar to a whale. (3.2.406-412) It is clear from this dialogue with Polonius that Hamlet seems to have lost his mind, but the...... middle of paper ......y. Shakespeare was not one to openly state direct meanings, so this could have been more than an act of madness performed by Ophelia. Shakespeare's symbolic meanings and messages were great clues to the true motivations behind Hamlet and Ophelia's actions. Both characters lost their fathers at critical times in their lives, and while something like this usually sparks madness, it was this assumption that they used to cover up their goals. Hamlet managed to kill Claudius, although it came at a price: his own life. Ophelia, clearly distressed and in need of guidance, subtly infused new meaning into the depictions of the main characters, making them appear distasteful to their counterparts. Through a deceptive veneer, Hamlet and Ophelia revealed the truth behind their fathers' deaths and gained the satisfaction of revenge..