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William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet opens with there being “[s]omething rotten in the state of Denmark” (Madden 81). Given that the rotten state of Denmark becomes center stage, it is the perfect setting for madness to emerge; “Denmark’s a prison” (Madden 96) for those who are inflicted with madness. The main thesis is that in all it’s forms madness reveals truths and the understanding of these truths are interconnected. The text’s reference to truths told by Hamlet, Ophelia and Laertes create this concept. These three types of truth when interconnected result in total understanding. Ever since the death of King Hamlet young Hamlet has been in what appears to be a state of madness; using madness as his guise Hamlet reveals empirical knowledge of the past which leads to present suffering and future self-destruction. Hamlet is “born to set [his father’s murder] right” (Madden 86). He will “remember [his father]” (Madden 83) by “[avenging] his foul and most unnatural murder” (Madden 82). His quest for revenge has led him “[i]nto the madness wherein he now raves” (Madden 94). Using madness to his advantage Hamlet keeps the court occupied with his mental state so that his true doings may not be rev