the ninth

Some Shakespearean scholars say that when Hamlet is pretending to be crazy, he really is crazy, correct? Now other Shakespearean scholars say that when Hamlet is pretending to be nuts, he really isn't nuts, it's an act. Now considering how Hamlet is acting, is he really and truly crazy? Yes? No? They're both wrong. Remember what happens. First, his father dies. Then his girl leaves him flat. Then there's an appearance by his father's ghost. Bad enough. Then the ghost tells Hamlet he was murdered, and by whom? By Hamlet's uncle, who recently married Hamlet's mother. Now that, by itself, is a hell of a hang-up because Hamlet liked his mother... a lot. So is Hamlet insane? No, he's not. He is pretending. But, if Hamlet hadn't pretended to be crazy, he really would've gone crazy. You see, Hamlet isn't psycho, he's hanging on the brink. A little shove, a little teensy weensy little push and the kid's gone. Bananas. Whacked out. So his unconscious mind makes him do what keeps him sane, namely, acting like he's not. You see, because acting crazy is a way to let off steam, a way to get rid of your fucking aggressions, a way to get rid of your fears and your terrors. If I did what Hamlet does in this play, they'd lock me up, they'd put me in prison, they'd punish me, sure. But him, Prince Royal Garbagemouth gets away with murder, and why? Because nuts are not responsible. Meantime, the crazier Hamlet acts, and the more he indulges himself, the healthier he gets.

I think there's something wrong with us.