Gibson’s Hamlet does not start the play insane, instead he gradually steeps into his maddened state with  his father’s death being the cause of it all. Starting when Hamlet first encounters his father’s ghost, Gibson’s character begins to exhibit signs of insanity. He bounces around on the screen with craze and determination for revenge. The culmination of this characterization comes with the scene in the library where Polonius comes to talk to Hamlet and Hamlet is only wearing one shoe (Pictured left). Some may say that Gibson's Hamlet is only feigning madness, which at one point is true, unfortunately the lines between feigned madness and real madness are blurred which can be seen in the bedroom scene when Hamlet breaks down and yells at his mother (below). Gibson’s Hamlet talks fast and with power, those around him seem to cower in fear of his madness.

For more information on how Gibson played Hamlet click here.