How Is Hamlet Crazy

Everyone has a different sense of normalcy and sanity. Due to this, gauging a person’s character is a shot in the dark. In Shakespeare’s tragic play Hamlet, Hamlet’s true character is defined by his relationships, actions, and state of mind. After his father’s death, Hamlet’s relationship with the living seem to deteriorate, especially with the women in his life. During his break up with Ophelia, he claims that he “‘did love [her] once’” but quickly denies that further into the conversation (3.1.22). Relationships need to be nurtured and cared for in order to succeed. Despite the fact that Polonius has asked his obedient daughter to refuse Hamlet’s love, Hamlet has been directing all his time and energy to revenge, leaving nothing for Ophelia. Hamlet’s relationship with his mother is rocky even at the beginning of the play. Hamlet is disgusted by the fact that Claudius is now “‘A little more than kin and less than kind” (1.1.66). He loathes the pair of them together and the incest they are involved in.
Each of his soliloquies exhibits a new philosophy he is having issues with, the most famous of these being, “‘To be or not to be-that is the question’” (3.1.62). In this particular soliloquy, Hamlet is contemplating whether living a miserable life is better than moving on towards an unknown afterlife. At this time he has lost his sense of purpose, which is to kill Claudius, and with no purpose there is no reason for him to live. Hamlet reminds himself of Fortinbras and wonders, “‘What would he do had he the motive and the cue for passion that I have’” (2.2.574-576). Fortinbras is a perfect foil for Hamlet. Hamlet realizes that Fortinbras would have already killed his uncle and assumed the throne if he were in Hamlet’s, which makes Hamlet feel cowardly. The hatred he feels towards himself fuels causes him to act impulsively, another trait of his that no one