Filter Your Search Results:

Hamlet's Madness Essay

Rating:
By:
Book:
Pages:
Words:
Views:
Type:

Great wits are sure to madness near allied, thin partitions do their bounds divide. Although John Drydens words were not spoken in regard to William Shakespeares Hamlet, these words closely relate to the argument of Hamlets questionable state of mind and whether or not he surrendered to insanity. When a character such as Hamlet is under scrutiny, it can be difficult to determine his mental state in particular moments in the play. Nevertheless, Hamlet merely feigns his insanity so that he can calculate his moves carefully according to the situation at hand.

There are many situations throughout the play in which Hamlet is put in a position that is enough to make him succumb to insanity. For example, in Act IV Scene II, after Poloniuss death, Hamlet has been through enough that would drive any average person to the brink of insanity. Hamlet has had a chaotic day. He is finally convinced that it was, in fact, Claudius that murdered his father, the chance to take revenge on Claudius and take his life confronts him but he decides to kill Claudius when he is not forgiven of his sins, and he comes close to convincing Gertrude that Claudius killed his father. Hamlet then accidentally kills Polonius and finally, the ghost of his father visits him. Though at this point these situations create plenty of reasons for Hamlet to let go and give in to insanity, he remains sharp and credible. [Hamlet] concocts this state of madness...his intellect remains clear, his discourse sound and comprehensive.

Hamlet reveals to his trusted friends and his mother of his plans to feign his own insanity. He tells Horatio that he is going to "feign madness," and that if Horatio notices any perplexing, curious behaviour from Hamlet, it is because he is putting on an act. Hamlet also tells his mother that he is not mad, "but mad in craft." In addition to his confessions, Hamlet's fake madness only manifests itself when he is in the presence of certain characters. When Hamlet is around Polonius, Claudius, Gertrude, Ophelia, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, he behaves irrationally. When Hamlet is around Horatio, Bernardo, Francisco, The Players and the Gravediggers, he behaves realistically.

Some of the characters themselves come to the realization that Hamlet is not eccentric. Claudius confesses that Hamlet's "actions, although strange, do not appear to stem from madness." He is curious about his nephews behaviour, but knows that it isnt insanity that is causing it. In addition, Polonius admits that Hamlet's actions and words have a "method" to them; there appears to be a reason behind them, they are logical in nature. Polonius eventually believes that Hamlets behaviour is a result of his daughter shunning Hamlets love for her.

Hamlet is also able to make smart remarks to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, comparing them to sponges. "When he (Claudius) needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you and, sponge, you shall be dry again." This is random and unexpected, as many of his actions, but the comparison he makes has logic to it; Rosencrantz and Guildenstern soak up all the kings favors, only to become dry again after they mop up the King's mess, which was spying on Hamlet and getting Polonius's body. Later, with Claudius, Hamlet tells how lowly a king can be by saying, "A man (beggar) may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm." This also has logic behind it, and is not quite as random; when Hamlet confronts Claudius, and the king asks where Polonius is, Hamlet immediately begins the comparison by telling Claudius that Polonius is at supper. This proves that Hamlet had some kind of planning for this degrading comment, and that his thoughts are not scattered and he is able to stay focused.

Hamlet believes in his sanity at all times. He never doubts his control over his own psyche. His actions that would suggest insanity are nothing more than a strategic, well thought out plan Hamlet designed. His behaviour around those who had known about his feigned madness was rational and level-headed, while his madness was only seen around those he did not trust.

You'll need to sign up to view the entire essay.

Sign Up Now, It's FREE
Filter Your Search Results: