How Does Shakespeare Present Insanity In Hamlet

768 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Psychological aspect of hamlet

Of the numerous plays William Shakespeare has written, "Hamlet" is known by many to be one of the most famous. This play displays elements of tragedy, climax and suspense, which is not normal for readers during the time. Shakespeare uses these elements in order to attract more attention to his audience rather than the other English writers who lacked such style of writing. Many of his works have left readers baffled like in "Hamlet". This play's theme mainly reflects on revenge and victory. The main character, Hamlet has developed madness. It becomes visible that in "Hamlet", Hamlet's insanity is indicated by his change in behavior towards Ophelia, Gertrude and his lack of self-control.
The play depicts a young man named Hamlet, who returns to Denmark to assist the late king's funeral …show more content…

After hearing about the marriage, Hamlet depicts how deeply he despises Gertrude, rather than mourn for the death of his father. In Act 3,scene 4, Hamlet says, "Nay, but to live in the rank sweat of a inseamèd bed, stewed in corruption, honeying and making love, over the nasty sty!"(line 103). Gertrude’s unfaithful actions of marrying Hamlet’s uncle, makes Hamlet feel devastated and disgusted. The thoughts of sexual intimacy can imly that Hamlet has an oedipal complex. In Addition, expert Jones says, “ Being forced to connect the thought of his mother with sensuality leads to an intense sexual revulsion” and “Combined with this is a fierce jealousy, unconscious because of its forbidden origin, at the sight of her giving herself to another man” (143). Jones acknowledges Hamlet’s substantial circumstance regarding his close relationship with his mother. He makes it clear that there is more than a mother to son alliance between Hamlet and Gertrude. Based on Jones, there are implications of Hamlet feeling jealous of Claudius. Hamlet's attitude regarding Gertrude indicates signs of

Show More
Related

  • Madness and Insanity in Shakespeare's Hamlet - Has Hamlet Gone Mad?

    691 Words  | 2 Pages

    that they had seen a ghost during the night watch.  Hamlet was shocked at the

    Read More

  • Madness and Insanity in Shakespeare's Hamlet - Investigating Hamlet's Sanity

    1484 Words  | 3 Pages

    death when his mother and the king enter the room and question him on his

    Read More

  • Insanity in Hamlet by William Shakespeare

    564 Words  | 2 Pages

    “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.

    Read More

  • Janet Adelman's Hamlet

    863 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...Gertrude, as does the incestuous Claudius; thus, Hamlet places his identity with his mother.  Ultimately, Hamlet seeks not to avenge the death of his father, but to save his mother from her own destructive sexuality, and by extension his own self-destruction.  Of course, Adelman prescribes an existential reason to Hamlet's need to rescue his mother; Hamlet needs to "recover the fantasized presence of the asexual mother of childhood" (277).  Hamlet needs to separate his mother from all sexuality in order to reap the stability of her selfhood for his own.  After refusing to sleep with Claudius, Gertrude restores herself in her son's eyes to the status of "an internal good mother" (279).  Hamlet, now, by "trusting her, can begin to trust in himself and in his own capacity for  action; he can rebuild the masculine identity spoiled by her contamination" (279).

    Read More

  • Ways in Which Hamlet's Behavior Was Influenced by Other Characters in Shakespeare's Work

    1380 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are many ways that Hamlet and his mother express their feelings for each other. In the beginning, they show tenderness and overwhelming love towards each other. It is Gertrude’s actions that bring out the anger in Hamlet. He cannot understand how his mother could be so disrespectful by remarrying so quickly. Although he honors his mother, he cannot do this upon learning of her engagement.

    Read More

  • Madness and Insanity in Shakespeare's Hamlet - Both a Sane and Insane Hamlet

    924 Words  | 2 Pages

    Shakespeare's tragic hero, Hamlet, and his sanity can arguably be discussed. Many portions of the play supports his loss of control in his actions, while other parts uphold his ability of dramatic art. The issue can be discussed both ways and altogether provide significant support to either theory. There are indications from Hamlet throughout the play of his mind's well being.

    Read More

  • Destroyed by Sexuality

    990 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hamlet possesses an uncomfortable obsession with his mother’s sexuality. For this reason, Hamlet’s soliloquies provide most of the audience’s information about Gertrude’s sexual activities. In his first soliloquy, Hamlet refers to the relationship between Gertrude and Claudius when he exclaims, “Within a month…She married. O, most wicked speed, to post / With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!” (I, ii, 153-157). In saying this, Hamlet displays how hastily Gertrude has abandoned the late King Hamlet, Hamlet’s father, such that she has already married Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle. In addition, Hamlet acknowledges that Gertrude and Claudius have quickly developed a very sexual relationship. Despite the very recent death of her husband, Gertrude is unable to control her sexual desires, and she remarries less than two months after King Hamlet’s funeral.

    Read More

  • Comparing Gertrude and Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet

    908 Words  | 2 Pages

    At times it seems that Gertrude does not know or pretends not to know why Hamlet is so angry with her and with Claudius ('What have I done, that thou dar'st wag thy tongue/ In noise so rude against me?'). At other times she seems to know exactly what is troubling him ('His father's death and our o'er-hasty marriage', II.2.57). But Hamlet, too, does not come clean directly. He does not confront her with the murder, but rather sets out 'to wring her heart' (III.4.35), and plays upon her emotions rather than on her reason. Instead, he shows her two pictures, and compares at great length his father with his uncle (55 ff.). In this long speech, the son touches on many matters so delicate that critics can be forgiven for detecting more than a whiff oedipal sentiment in Hamlet himself. He plays on his mother's sense of shame, even bringing her eroticism or lack of it into play, and culminating in a vision of his mother making love in a bed stained with semen - not a pretty sight:

    Read More

  • Hamlet And Gertrude's Relationship Essay

    1154 Words  | 3 Pages

    He starts with a bitter hatred for her incestuous actions with Claudius but he sees that she really still does care for him after her showing sympathy for him after his vicious argument. It seems as though Hamlet realizes that his mother knew her mistake and felt bad for her after she seems to be so sad by him being upset with her. All of this anger he had could also be proof that they actually had a really good relationship together and that he simply felt betrayed by the one person that he would least likely expect it from. This may be the most accurate view of their true relationship due to him not just leaving after his father died and attending the University of Wittenburg. Instead, he chose to listen to his mother and stay in boring Denmark where he lived his whole life. His talks of wanting to give his father the credit he deserved by getting revenge on those who treated him wrong is also why he may have felt the need to yell at his mother for what she did wrong. From the interactions that Hamlet and Gertrude have throughout Shakespeare’s Hamlet, it can be concluded that they had a strong relationship that was temporarily harmed by Gertrude’s incestuous actions but later mended due to Gertrude still caring for her dear

    Read More

  • Examples Of Indecisiveness In Hamlet

    1463 Words  | 3 Pages

    Oddly, it appears that Gertrude possess more significance to Hamlet than one first anticipates. Her swift call to matrimony leads Hamlet into a spiraling quarry of depression and grieving. This mirrors the Oedipus complex. Gertrude sexually commits herself to Claudius causing Hamlet to feel a sense of jealousy and disappointment. In retaliation, he expresses his repressed desire of love through his unruly comments. He even goes as far as to say that the love is incestuous. Furthermore, in Act 3 scene 4, Hamlet confronts his mother directly in a closet. Addressing concern over her sexual actions, he exclaims “In the rank sweat of an enseamèd bed, / Stewed in corruption, honeying and making love / Over the nasty sty” (III.iv.104-106). Not only does this quote show that Hamlet disapproves his mother’s marriage, but also that he believes Claudius is a wicked criminal. Aligning with the Oedipus complex, Hamlet strangely obsesses over his mother’s love life while viewing his uncle in

    Read More

  • Changes in Hamlet

    1202 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hamlet by William Shakespeare is one of the world’s most revered literature. The main character, Hamlet, is arguably one of the most intriguing characters the playwright ever developed. Hamlet is daring, philosophical, mentally unstable at times, and clever. Throughout the play though, these characteristics change and/or diminish as Hamlet is put through a plethora of unfortunate events. His father is murdered by Claudius, his mother soon after marries Claudius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern betray him, and his girlfriend most likely commits suicide. While Hamlet is incredibly philosophical, indecisive, and full of resentment in the beginning of the play, he becomes violent, instinctive, caring and sympathetic towards the end of the play.

    Read More

  • Free Hamlet Essays: Role of Women in Hamlet

    612 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gertrude influenced Hamlet significantly throughout the course of the play. Hamlet was very angered by his mother's remarriage. A few months after his father's death, Gertrude married Claudius, Hamlet's uncle. He was driven mad when his father's ghost appeared to him and revealed that Claudius was responsible for the death of Old Hamlet. Hamlet even termed the marriage as incest. Hamlet's fury is displayed when he throws his mother on the bed and says, "Frailty, thy name is woman" (Act #. Scene #. Line #). This shows his extent of anger because he makes a generalization that all women are weak. As a result of his mother's actions, Hamlet strives to seek revenge against Claudius for the death of his father. In order to marry Gertrude, Claudius kills his brother. Therefore, Gertrude is the driving factor for the whole setup of the play.

    Read More

  • Hamlet's Oedipus Complex

    685 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hamlet’s attachment to his mother was quickly made evident within the first act of the famous tragedy. Hamlet, who sulks around wearing black clothing to mourn the death of his father, first speaks in the play to insult his stepfather. He voices his distaste at his new relationship with his uncle by criticizing that they are, “A little more than kin and less than kind” (I.ii.65). He believes that it is unnatural for his uncle to also be his father, and eagerly jumps at an opportunity to offend Claudius. However, Hamlet acts entirely different towards his mother, despite his poor attitude....

    Read More

  • Jealousy And Desire In Shakespeare's Hamlet

    1472 Words  | 3 Pages

    He begins to hold resentment towards not only his mother, but also onto Ophelia. Gertrude knows that Hamlet is upset about the marriage she even tell Claudius, “ I doubt it is no other but the main--His father’s death and our o’erhasty marriage.” (Act 2 Sc 2 ) She clearly admits to knowing that Hamlet holds her very dearly to his heart. Yet she still continues to upset him.

    Read More

  • What Makes Hamlet's Failure

    1108 Words  | 3 Pages

    William Shakespeare is one of the most renowned and studied authors throughout the illustrious history of literature. A 15th century poet, his works such as "Macbeth" and "Romeo & Juliet" have been dissected in various manners through the present day. One of his most storied pieces, titled "Hamlet", is an eloquent classic that is perhaps the most recognizable of his work. Set within a royal town of Denmark, this collection of sonnets utilizes varying literary elements and portrayals to create a confounding plot that captivates audiences and readers alike. One of the incorporated characterizations of the play is represented by Hamlet, the prince of the kingdom whose conundrum makes up majority of the tale.

    Read More

More about How Does Shakespeare Present Insanity In Hamlet

Open Document