Option 1: cited -> means to quote or refer to as evidence; doesn't fit the context of pretending to escape.
Option 2: feigned -> means to pretend or fake something; perfectly fits the context of pretending to be mad to escape.
Option 3: deferred -> means to postpone or delay; you cannot postpone madness, making this illogical.
Option 4: demonstrated -> means to show or display; while grammatically possible, it suggests actually showing madness rather than pretending.
Hence, Option 2: feigned -> "Feign" means to pretend or fake a condition, which perfectly captures the intent of someone pretending to be insane as a strategy to escape. This is a common literary and historical tactic (like Hamlet feigning madness). -> correct