Is Hamlet sane throughout the play? Does he show moments of insanity or is he totally lucid and somewhat destructive? Explain Why.

There is no evidence that Hamlet was insane.

Was he depressed by the death of his father? Sure. Angry at the hasty marriage of his mother to his uncle? Why not. Shocked and horrified by what the ghost tells him about the murder? No doubt. Upset at his girlfriend, Ophelia, for being used by her father, Polonius? Yes. Disgusted by his mother's shallowness and sexuality? Absolutely. Overwhelmed by the task of revenge given to him? Unquestionably.

Actually, considering all of what Hamlet has to deal with, he does pretty well. Nothing in his behavior would suggest insanity. There is no question, in his effort to annoy and sting and expose the guilt of the King, Hamlet acts insane, but this is but part of his plan to "catch the conscience of the King."

Furthermore, no one really thinks Hamlet is insane. Even Polonius, who's not all that swift, says "Though this be madness, yet there is a method in't.—" Madness for a reason is hardly madness.

And here's Hamlet, himself, on the subject: "I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw."

So, Hamlet, when it suits him, may act insane (and he's very fond of the craft of acting), but he's not insane.