Self-Depressive Illness In Shakespeare's Hamlet

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Today there are few literary works that capture the very essence and the human condition like the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare. This play about murder, power, and revenge was a staple amongst patrons who would come from all over the world to see his controversial theatrical performances. This story takes place in the Kingdom of Denmark where Prince Hamlet returns from university after his father the King is suspiciously killed. Hamlet later finds out that his uncle Claudius killed his brother to take the throne and to marry Hamlet's mother, Queen Gertrude. He becomes the main hero of the play as he is intertwined with multiple members of the kingdom as he attempts to prove that King Claudius is guilty and goes to seek revenge. With even a brief analyzation of the play Hamlet, It is clear that Prince …show more content…

“This is acute depressive illness, not chronic melancholy. Hamlet’s self-diagnosis is that he is “thinking too precisely on th’event”(IV.iv.41) and that “the native hue of resolution is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought”.(III.i.84–5) Indecision is a feature of both depressive and obsessional illness” (Shaw, Depressive illness delayed Hamlet’s revenge). This indecision about killing himself and the self-loathing for it shows symptoms that display chronic depression.
Another contention to take into account is Hamlet's complete regard for human life. This is shown multiple times but it is most clearly shown when he slays Polonius. He draws his sword and abruptly stabs the curtains thinking it was Claudius, but then reveals the sheet to see Polonius; He then says “Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell! I took thee for thy better: take thy fortune; Thou find'st to be too busy is some danger. Leave wringing of your hands: peace! sit you down, And let me wring your heart; for so I shall, If it be made of penetrable

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