I just had to use the FUP as well :-)

] For me, esp. after this group read, I believe that Hamlet is more or less in his right mind until he gets confirmation of Claudius evil deed. At which point he gets somewhat carried away with his revenge and has a hard time controlling his passions.

Here I bring up again the question of Hamlet's age. If he were 17 I would not have a problem with the way he acts. He is moody, passionate, quick to anger, self-centered, interested in big ideas, has serious parental issues and IMO wants attention. If however, he is around 30 - a grown man by any standards - then I think there has to be some emotional problems if not outright lunacy behind his actions.

] I think I would have to say that I don't think he ever goes completely off his rocker. He is too much of a thinker for that.

Me neither, though I have to say that Hamlet being a thinker, is IMO evidence for the other side of the argument, it is just because he overanalyses everything that you might feel he has lost his balance.

Sari