Hamlet, By William Shakespeare Essay

In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, madness is a condition which is difficult to identify whether it is genuine or fraudulent. After the encounter with the ghost of Hamlet Sr. and Hamlet, Hamlet decides to put on an antic disposition. But thereafter he decides this, Hamlet 's actions embody someone that is truly mad. This is how Shakespeare makes it difficult to determine if Hamlet is truly mad. Although through his feigned actions and the reactions from others the real madness of Hamlet can be revealed.

Throughout the Shakespearian play, Hamlet, the main character is given the overwhelming responsibility of avenging his father’s "foul and most unnatural murder" (I.iv.36). Such a burden can slowly drive a man off the deep end psychologically. Because of this, Hamlet’s disposition is extremely inconsistent and erratic throughout the play. At times he shows signs of uncontrollable insanity. Whenever he interacts with the characters he is wild, crazy, and plays a fool. At other times, he exemplifies intelligence and method in his madness. In instances when he is alone or with Horatio, he is civilized and sane. Hamlet goes through different stages of insanity throughout the story, but his neurotic and skeptical personality amplifies his

Throughout the play, Hamlet, Shakespeare applied a myriad of motifs to enhance the meaning and complexity of his work. One of the numerous motifs utilized in the play is madness. The question of Hamlet’s actual madness is profusely raised among readers in the Elizabethan era and is still brought up numerous times today. Some may assert that Hamlet was literally mad and others may argue that Hamlet’s madness was feigned. In the beginning of the play, Hamlet spotted his father’s ghost and discerned that his father’s death was caused by his uncle, Claudius. This situation initiated a whirlwind of events that took Hamlet on a downward spiral. These events are comprised of Hamlet’s actions to try to avenge his father’s death. They support and convey the impression that Hamlet’s madness was real. Although, Hamlet specifically claimed that he was not mad in the text. Hamlet’s madness was feigned since he confessed his reasoning for his antic disposition in order to avenge his father’s death and get revenge for Claudius’ actions.

In Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet”, introduces an interesting character with the same name to the readers. Hamlet’s father tragically dies and he later finds out that it was his uncle, Claudius, who murdered him. This important event triggers the readers into believing that it causes Hamlet to become absolutely insane. However, Hamlet is not insane, and is instead merely putting on an act in order to get his revenge without getting suspected, which is really quite sane. Hamlet resorts to any sort of verbal or physical use of insanity in order to trick everyone into believing that he has gone mad. When not in the presence of specific characters, Hamlet displays signs of intelligence and rational thinking. Everything that Hamlet is doing is for a very understandable reason; there is a purpose to what he does and why he does it. Hamlet’s personality has changed due to recent events that occurs throughout his depressing life.

Throughout Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, the main character, Hamlet, must seek revenge for the murder of his father. Hamlet decides to portray an act of insanity, as part of his plan to murder Claudius. Throughout the play, Hamlet becomes more and more believable in his act, even convincing his mother that he is crazy. However, through his thoughts, and actions, the reader can see that he is in fact putting up an act, he is simply simulating insanity to help fulfil his fathers duty of revenge. Throughout the play, Hamlet shows that he understands real from fake, right from wrong and his enemies from his friends. Even in his madness, he retorts and is clever in his speech and has full

William Shakespeare’s famously philosophical play Hamlet epitomizes the revenge tragedy; the play’s characters are forced to act vengefully only to result in a bloody, dismal

In Shakespeare’s Hamlet each of the characters face many trials and tribulations throughout the play. Hamlet, the main character, suffers the most. While Hamlet deals with all of the problems he faces, he becomes mentally unstable. Some believe that Hamlet just feigned madness while others believe that he actually became insane. Hamlet began to face insanity after the marriage of his mother and uncle and his problems only became worse which leads to Hamlet truly becoming insane.

Hamlet’s statements often show a level of awareness and cunning not usually associated with madness. His retention of good sense does not always go unnoticed by the people around him. Polonius, during a conversation with Hamlet, states in an aside: “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t” (Act II, scene ii). This statement shows that Polonius can detect some of the manipulation present in Hamlet’s speech. Hamlet is not merely spouting nonsense; rather, there is structure and purpose behind what he does. Hamlet’s own statements also hint at an awareness of the situation which he would not have if he were truly mad. During the same conversation he says, in an aside, “These tedious old fools.” (Act II, scene ii). This statement suggests that he is manipulating Polonius and is consciously behaving in a peculiar manner. He wants Polonius to believe he is mad, knowing that he will report back to the King, and, therefore, takes the time to convince Polonius of his irrationality. At another point he tells Guildenstern, “Call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me, you cannot play upon me” (Act III, scene ii). This quotation shows his continued awareness of the situation and his insight into the actions of others. He knows people have been spying on him and trying to influence him. When with Ophelia he recognizes that he is being watched, and asks her “Where’s your father?” (Act II, scene i). This awareness justifies the apparent madness he displays in his contact with her and other people he is suspicious of. He is acting the part for the audience that he suspects is present, remaining aware of his actions and deliberately deceiving

     William Shakespeare’s supreme tragic drama Hamlet does not answer fully for many in the audience the pivotal question concerning the sanity of Hamlet – whether it is totally feigned or not. Let us treat this topic in detail, along with critical comment.

Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet” views the life of a complex protagonist Hamlet, the Danish prince who is fueled with vengeance to murder the killer of his father King Hamlet. Although Hamlet may be a character whose thoughts and actions resemble a madman or someone who has lost their sanity, it’s clear he is fully sane due to him deciding to fake madness to carry out his revenge plot on killing his Uncle Claudius, who is the current throne holder and his mother’s newlywed husband. It is very facile to see how one can be mad after losing a father and having their mother married to their uncle shortly after, but Hamlet uses people questioning his sanity to an advantage, which demonstrates how he still has his instinct. The most controversial

A major source of discussion regarding Shakespeare’s Hamlet involves whether or not the title character is indeed mad or if he is only acting. One stance claims that Hamlet is mad throughout the play. Others may think that his madness is only latent, up until a certain point. There are many opinions on exactly where this shifting point occurs, thus opening up many possible explanations. Another argument explains that Hamlet performs his madness throughout the play, as evidenced by his unremitting sharp wit, the opinions of other characters, and Hamlet’s own admissions.

In “Hamlet”, Shakespeare has his title character acting insane to show how raw emotion can completely change someone’s mental state. After learning of his father’s murder at the hands of his brother, Hamlet becomes enraged beyond even his comprehension and begins to act strangely. He tries to convince others and even himself throughout the story that he isn’t crazy, but progressively becomes more erratic as the play advances.

A debated question of William Shakespeare's play Hamlet is whether or not Prince Hamlet has gone insane or he is acting. One of the many unanswered questions surrounding the play this question though not clearly and directly answered in the play itself can be answered. The answer to this question is no. Hamlet is not insane and cannot be insane because he is only insane around certain characters, and exhibits intelligence and clear thinking with others, and his change in personality can be accredited to recent trauma in his life rather than lack of clear thought

Hamlet’s Unique Madness In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the main character, Hamlet, has a very peculiar type of madness, which possesses both real and fake elements. In the play, Hamlet intended to act mad as a disguise, but at times, his fake madness appeared to be much more than pretend; this combination of real and fake insanity creates a type of madness that is unique to Hamlet’s character. Indeed, Hamlet has very obvious displays of pretend madness, primarily shown through his interactions with other characters; in contrast, Hamlet also has certain interactions with characters that reveal his slight insanity and true emotion. Additionally, Hamlet’s madness and true feelings are further revealed through his very powerful and passionate soliloquies.

One of the most controversial arguments about William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is whether Hamlet, indeed, went insane or if his madness was no more than an act. Proof for the latter is given in several instances throughout the play; Hamlet undeniably kept his sanity intact. Loved ones of Hamlet insinuate that he is not mad. Hamlet himself justifies that his mental state is sound. Shakespeare also shows what he believes is the true definition of madness in the character Ophelia, not Hamlet. Even though Hamlet’s disposition seems as that of a madman, statements of others around him, declarations from Hamlet himself, and contrasts between Ophelia and Hamlet prove otherwise.