Hamlet, the cornerstone character of Shakespeare 's Hamlet, is thought to be the most complex character of English literature. This characterization is often due to the fact that Hamlet is thought to be mad. The depth at which Hamlet’s thoughts reach is far superior to those around him, leaving him misunderstood. Despite what scholars tend to think, Hamlet was too intelligent for the other characters to interpret his thoughts, words, and actions in any other way than madness. Hamlet is thought to be insane by many of the characters throughout the play, as well as by several scholars who have analyzed the play. When Hamlet speaks, he often does so at such a high and complex level that many think that he is saying these things out of insanity, rather than out of true genius. When Hamlet said that: HAMLET. A man may fish with the worm that hath Eat of a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of That worm. (4.2.27-29) he is not saying something random, he …show more content…
It was unusual for someone of such high status to show the expert performers how they should perform a play. It was also strange because of the fact that Hamlet requested such an unusual play topic (3.2.1-273). This action, while seemingly insane from far away, was truly ingenious. It allowed Hamlet to see whether or not his uncle was truly guilty of killing his father, which is what Hamlet wanted as he did not wish to act and be punished without knowing whether or not his uncle really was the one who ended his father’s life so abruptly. For him, this was a way to gain peace of mind. Someone who was mentally unstable would not have thought so rationally. Someone like that would have threatened their uncle’s life in order to see if that person was guilty, adding to Hamlet’s ways of complex
Through Hamlet's judgement and intellect, brilliant schemes, shrewdness, and profound notions, the reader can discern that Hamlet was not unhinged, but simply putting on a facade of madness. If Hamlet was insane, the great William Shakespeare would not have been able to lucidly get his points across to his audience. Hamlet should be displayed as a genius or a virtuoso with his acting ability, not a loon. Hamlet's exceptional wits is enough to prove his sanity. But in the long run, what is truly considered to be madness? And what is genius, if it is not madness? As the renowned Greek philosopher, Aristotle, once said, "No great mind has ever existed without some touch of madness."
death when his mother and the king enter the room and question him on his
“I plead guilty by reason of insanity,” is Hamlet’s plea if he was sitting in a modern courtroom. In Hamlet by William Shakespeare, it is evident that Hamlet himself is indeed out of his mind. The reader understands the reason for his anger and frustration, but how he “fixes” the situation is beyond a sane mind. To be fair, his madness deals more with emotional instability referred to as melancholy or madness than a person who is incoherent. Hamlet’s madness becomes clear in his actions and thoughts, in his erratic relationship with Ophelia, and in the murder of Polonius.
Here we can see that Hamlet had told Ophelia earlier in the scene how deeply he
with the dark side of humanity. In the very beginning of Act 1 scene i the
In act three, he even admits that his actions are insane, horrible and evil. He says, “I essentially am not in madness, but mad in craft” (3.4.191). For Hamlet to admit that his actions are mad or insane, is the most insane trait of Hamlet. For him to openly admit that he is fully aware that his actions are mad, only ignites the flame of his insanity. This quote seals the deal for the reader that Hamlets mind is a wasteland of madness, but also of planned insanity and horrible actions.
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 understanding of what is going on around him. Most importantly, Hamlet does not think like that of a person who is mad.
While Hamlet was being in his "antic disposition" stage it allowed him to do several things that he otherwise would not be able to do if everyone thought he was in a normal state. The purpose of Hamlet feigning madness is in order to be undercover and see for certain if what has been told to him by the ghost is true. By not revealing the fact that he is not insane, he is able to get more information about the death of his father. Did his uncle kill his father and how can he get his mother away from his uncle are what Hamlet is set out to find.
If it weren’t for Hamlet’s insanity, the King (Claudius), would have obviously known that something was up with his nephew, and surely have him killed. If Hamlet didn’t act so he made his uncle believe that he was insane, then the King would have seen it in Hamlet’s eyes that he knew the truth. Think about it... in today's society, if someone thinks you’re crazy, you can say anything and get away with it. For example, someone can notion the slightest bit of sexual harassment, and get in a lot of trouble. Whereas someone who seems obviously insane, can say a hundred things that suggest sexual harassment and get away with it. Look at all the trials today! Murderers are constantly pleading in court to experiencing temporary insanity, and getting away with it! If you are believed to be insane, you can get away with anything. That is what was on Hamlet’s mind. It was truly an ingenious plan.
To die, would be to abandon this garden suffocated by weeds. To take one's life, is to alleviate turmoil from the heart. Although extremely tempting, Hamlet cannot, therefore will not commit suicide. For he believes God "had… fixed / his canon 'gainst self-slaughter!" (line 131-132 p.166). With this in his mind he drags his burden deeper and deeper into a pit of agony. Inflicted upon him were the excruciatingly painful blows of his father's death and the incestuous marriage of his mother and uncle. Hamlet held his father with high esteem calling him an excellent king and Hyperion. He resents his "more than kin, and less than kind" (line 65 p.165) stepfather, exclaiming, "So excellent a king, that was, to this! / Hyperion to a satyr" (line 139-140 p. 166). He not only shows resentment towards his uncle, Claudius, but is also beset with anguish over his mother's hasty marriage, crying out, "She married O, most wicked speed, to post / with such dexterity to incestuous sheets! / It is not nor it cannot come to good: / But break, my heart" (line 166-169 p.167). Then, the spirit of King Hamlet visits Elsinor to reveal to his son, "the serpent that did sting thy father's life now wears his crown." (lines 39-40 p.172). The spirit asks, "If thou didst ever the dear father love -- revenge his foul and most unnatural murder. Hamlet must avenge his father's unnatural and horrible death! He swears to revenge but delays his vengeance missing opportunities one right after the other. In the Shakespearean play, Hamlet, the conflict comes from Hamlet's Christian and moral beliefs and his need to avenge his father's murder. Instead of storming into Claudius' room to kill him after hearin...
Throughout the novel, William Shakespeare takes his readers through many twists and turns and several of the characters exhibit odd or unnatural behavior, most noticeably Hamlet. However, it leaves readers questioning whether Hamlet’s “antic disposition” is genuine or if it is fabricated. Many may argue that Hamlet is truly mad since it eventually results in his downfall, but there are several reasons suggesting that Hamlet’s madness is feigned. While he appears to be a lunatic on the outside, Hamlet is sane, as seen through his ability to investigate his father’s murder, gain new information, plot against other characters in the novel, and discover the truth.
In a character profile which I read by Max Huhner who has published several literary essays, Huhner reduces the problem of Hamlet to one factor, of the sort that Freud conceptualized as "secondary gain in mental disease." Hamlet, says Huhner, "could not hold his tongue or keep a secret, and was therefore entirely unfitted for diplomatic work. In a sense his feigning insanity was his sole avenue of safety." It is along these same lines that I have tried to prove the reasonableness of Hamlet's cruel dealings with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, justifying on grounds of practical necessity and the desire to avoid risks the fact Hamlet arranged their execution without heir having had a chance to receive the assistance of the Church.
When it comes to Shakespeare's Hamlet, the debate about Hamlet’s sanity is constant. When only using the text, the argument is ceaseless. Nothing points directly to either side since the reader can see no emotion, no emphasis, no expressions. They have nothing but a monotone dialogue. Rather, the answer to Hamlet’s insanity varies with each performance.
One could argue that Hamlet is truly insane, but that would mean ignoring the inconspicuous signals of his sanity. Hamlet is a character of both thought and power. His complex way of thinking and rationalizing is simply not comparable to an insane persons quick and careless judgment. Hamlet was able to discern his friends from his foes, to realize that the ghost could have played him, and to overcome his thoughts of suicide. These things could not have been accomplished if Hamlet had not been clear minded. The fact that Shakespeare made Hamlets insanity appear like true madness to countless readers today only goes to show the extent of his knowledge and the magnitude of his theatrical skill.
The tragedy of Hamlet by William Shakespeare is about Hamlet going insane and reveals his madness through his actions and dialogue. Hamlet remains one of the most discussed literary characters of all time. This is most likely due to the complex nature of Hamlet as a character. In one scene, Hamlet appears happy, and then he is angry in another and melancholy in the next. Hamlet’s madness is a result of his father’s death which was supposedly by the hands of his uncle, Claudius. He has also discovered that this same uncle is marrying his mom. It is expected that Hamlet would be suffering from some emotional issues as result of these catastrophes. Shakespeare uses vivid language, metaphors, and imagery to highlight how Hamlet’s madness influences several important aspects of his life including his relationships and the way he presents himself.