Signs Of Insanity In Hamlet

995 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Hamlet and psychology

Hamlet is a play that leaves you with your mouth gaping open as you ask yourself, “what just happened?”. There are so many open ended questions that will never be officially answered, leaving readers to interpret the play on their own. Was Hamlet truly in love with Ophelia? Did Gertrude know Claudius’s secret the whole time? Who is Fortinbras? These are the thoughts that make you question every piece of the play; these open ended questions are what makes William Shakespeare a timeless genius. People all over the world debate these thoughts still today, four centuries later. I would like to share with you my stance on one of these common debates: was Hamlet insane? Some signs of insanity include: inability to think critically, loss of morals, and loss of interest. Hamlet struggled throughout the play with mental and emotional challenges, but insanity was never truly present.
One sign of insanity includes having trouble thinking critically. Some may have trouble comprehending what is going on and …show more content…

In Act 1 Scene 5 Hamlet warns Horatio that he may “ put an antic disposition on” (I. V. 170-172), meaning he had intentions to act crazy in front of the king and queen. After Hamlet shares his brilliant idea of the play he is putting on for his uncle-father he asks for Horatio’s help to watch the king’s reaction and explains “I must be idle” (III. ii. 85) meaning he plans to act foolish before and during the play to keep up with appearances. The king and queen believed Hamlet was insane and Hamlet believed it would soon benefit him as they would be more open around him thinking he would not understand what was actually happening. Although Hamlet put on a fantastic performance Claudius, while conversing with Polonius, states, “what he spake, though it lacked form a little. Was not like madness.” (III. i. 163-164), confessing that he knew Hamlet was mad, but

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

  • Hamlet Insane or Sane

    779 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Shakespeare’s play Hamlet the main character Hamlet experiences many different and puzzling emotions. He toys with the idea of killing himself and then plays with the idea of murdering others. Many people ask themselves who or what is this man and what is going on inside his head. The most common question asked about him is whether or not he is sane or insane. Although the door seems to swing both ways many see him as a sane person with one thought on his mind, and that is revenge. The first point of his sanity is while speaking with Horatio in the beginning of the play, secondly is the fact of his wittiness with the other characters and finally, his soliloquy.

    Read More

  • Hamlet's Insanity

    1405 Words  | 3 Pages

    Riddled with ambiguity by its very nature, the text of William Shakespeare's Hamlet has been a commonly debated subject in literary circles since its first performance. The character Hamlet undergoes intense physical and emotional hardship in his quest for revenge against his despicable uncle. This hardship, some argue, leads to an emotional breakdown and, ultimately, Hamlet's insanity. While this assessment may be suitable in some cases, it falls short in others. Since Hamlet is a play, the ultimate motivation of each of the characters borrows not only from the text, but also from the motivations of the actors playing the parts. In most respects, these motivations are more apt at discerning the emotional condition of a character than their dialogue ever could. Thus, the question is derived: In Kenneth Branagh's film adaptation of Hamlet, does the character Hamlet suffer from insanity? Giving halt to the response, this paper will first endeavor to establish what insanity is and will then provide sufficient examples both from the text, film, and Branagh's own musings on his motivations as proof that Hamlet's character, at least in Branagh's version of the play, is not insane.

    Read More

  • Hamlet Insanity Essay

    738 Words  | 2 Pages

    Logan Gaertner Mrs. Amon English IV 1 March 2014 Is Hamlet’s Insanity Real? Is Hamlet truly insane? While the play is not extremely clear on the matter and often contradicts itself, many of Hamlet’s wild ramblings and words of nonsense seem to be not the true words of a madman. Hamlet says that he is merely “putting on an antic disposition” (Act 1, Scene 5, Line 181). He admits very early on in the play that his insanity will be nothing more than a ruse to fool those around him.

    Read More

  • Hamlet's Sanity

    1524 Words  | 4 Pages

    Hamlet can be considered no worse than an eccentric, determined, and possibly single-minded man, who was made so by his father?s murder and his request for revenge. His feigned madness is maintained because it allows him to continue with his plans. This madness is not, however, sustained when guard is unnecessary. Maybe Hamlet thought too much, but he thought as a sane man would. He commits no actions without reason, and he is far too astute and organized to be proclaimed mentally unstable. Hamlet?s portrayal of a madman is also very complex because it allows not only his points to be made, but in a believably insane way, which contrasts greatly with the expected ramblings of a truly insane person.

    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

  • Hamlet's Sanity In Hamlet Analysis

    1561 Words  | 4 Pages

    When Hamlet talks to Horatio in the first act he says how he is going to "feign madness" and that. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. How strange or odd some 'er i bear myself (As i perchance hereafter shall think meet To put an antic disposition on) That you, at such times seeing me, never shall, With arms encumbered thus, or this headshake, Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase.let us go in together, And still your fingers on your lips." (I,v,187-208).

    Read More

  • Hamlet Essay: Hamlet's Gone Mad

    718 Words  | 2 Pages

    To put an antic disposition on” (1.5.58-60) but his sane mental state began to decay over time leaving him actually insane. As the play goes on, the role of madness becomes much larger and more crucial, and begins to sweep the spotlight from the other themes within it. Hamlet’s intentions of appearing “mad” did have an advantage in the play, which automatically impacted it. He basically simulated madness as a strategy to direct the suspicion of his plotted revenge elsewhere. It does not sound very complex, but his performance of madness ended up slightly distracting him from his plot rather than benefitting him.

    Read More

  • Justification of Hamlet's Sanity in Shakespeare's Hamlet

    1594 Words  | 4 Pages

    Hamlet throughout the play seems insane but in reality it is only an act to achieve his goal of killing his father's murderer. Hamlet chooses to go mad so he has an advantage over his opponent and since he is the Prince of Denmark certain behavior is unacceptable, so by faking madness he is able to get away with inappropriate sayings and actions. We can see this when he talks to Claudius, Polonius, Ophelia and his mother. When Hamlet talks to Horatio in the first act he says how he is going to "feign madness" and that:

    Read More

  • How Does Shakespeare Present Insanity In Hamlet

    666 Words  | 2 Pages

    Every human being has sanity in this world. It is basically reasonable and rational behavior. Hamlet has insanity. He is so insane, he killed an man for a revenge on his uncle, KIng Claudius. In ¨Hamlet¨ by William Shakespeare, the author, conveys the insanity of Hamlet through his progression of madness in the play.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Insane In Hamlet

    640 Words  | 2 Pages

    Is Hamlet insane? That is the question. To answer this question, we must first get a better understanding of the word insane. Webster defines insane as exhibiting a severely disordered state of mind. A person can be affected with insanity or criminally insane.

    Read More

  • Insanity In Hamlet Research Paper

    752 Words  | 2 Pages

    Unfortunately, people who suffer from a mental disorder are often considered crazy or insane. Too many people know too little about why these people act the way they do. If people were more educated about the brain, their loved ones could be helped. Instead, they are considered outcasts and sent away. Although most people don’t agree with this, it is possible that this is what happened to Hamlet in The Tragedy of Hamlet by William Shakespeare.

    Read More

  • How Is Hamlet Acting With Insanity

    394 Words  | 1 Pages

    At the end of Act II, Hamlet is beginning to act with antic disposition towards multiple characters in the novel such as; Ophelia, Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. The first occurrence of acting with extreme insanity and distress is when he approaches Ophelia after she is prohibited from seeing and talking to Hamlet. He comes to see her and he is in a state of disarray and is not dressed very proper like he usually is. This throws Ophelia of guard and she says to her father that, “As I was sewing in my closet, Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced; no hat upon his head; his stockings fouled…to speak horrors-he comes before me” (Act II, Scene ii 77-86). This is a true indication of how Hamlet is acting with insanity and less stability

    Read More

  • How Does Shakespeare Present Insanity In Hamlet

    768 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

More about Signs Of Insanity In Hamlet

Open Document