Madness of Multiple Characters in Shakespeare's Hamlet

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In the play Hamlet, the author, Shakespeare portrays madness or insanity through most of its characters. What is madness, it is a state of mind in which doesn’t let ones ideas flow normally or think with a clear mind. In this case it is evident that there is something wrong with almost all the main characters. All the characters in the play in some form or fashion display madness either through thoughts, actions or words. Due to Hamlets father recent death, Hamlet is looking for a way out of problems. While speaking to his new step father/ old uncle he makes this statement: “O, that this too, sullied flesh would melt, Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew, Or that the everlasting had not fixed His canon ’gainst self slaughter! O God, God, How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable Seem to me all the uses of this world!” (1.2.32-36) Due to all the confusion and sadness Hamlet falls under a depression and has deadly thoughts. Prior to the quote Claudius and Gertrude got married, Claudius Hamlet’s new stepfather was making fun oh him for still mourning over his father’s death. Afterward Horatio enters and begins to talk with Hamlet. Hamlet is so distraught that once he hears about the apparition from Horatio he says this: “I will watch tonight. Perchance “twill walk again” (1.2.258-259) Hamlet just needs some closure and is willing to do ANYTHING to see his father again. However, Hamlet shows a strong hatred for Polonius and his daughter Ophelia by saying this: “Let her not walk i’th sun conception is a blessing, but, as your daughter may conceive, friend, look to ‘t”. (2.2.197-199)Before Polonius and Hamlet spoke the king queen and Polonius were talking about Hamlet and Ophelia one day getting married. Then Haml... ... middle of paper ... ... ducat, (3.4.27) Hamlet is back in town and is still on a mission to avenge his father’s death Hamlet: “What man dost thou dig it for? Gravedigger: For no man, sir. Hamlet: What women then? Gravedigger: For none, neither. Hamlet: Who is to be buried in’t? Gravedigger: One that was a women, sir, but, rest her soul she is dead” (5.1.128-134) Hamlet is joking with the gravedigger not knowing that the grave he is talking about is Ophelia’s grave. After that Ophelia’s dead corpse arrives along with Laertes and part of Denmark. Hamlet and Laertes confront each other during the actual burial. In this play, there is more than enough evidence to conclude that madness is used often. Not just by hamlet but by other characters. In the end everyone who sought revenge did what they needed to do, but the problem was that many innocent people were also harmed.

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