Mental Illness In The Elizabethan Era

Mental illness is currently a crucial component in our society, that enables us to understand the behavior of an individual. Where one's actions can be associated with the mental stability that he or she possesses. In conjunction, the Elizabethan era didn't acknowledge mental illness and its effects commonly incorporating Witchcraft and other Supernatural occurances to explain what is currently recognized as mental illness.

Bipolar disorder or manic depression is a mood disorder that causes mood swings that enter a high phase and a low phase. The high phase is known as “manic” where the individual speaks at a very fast pace, with energetic movements. Their energy contribute ever so greatly to their thoughts and self-esteem affecting it positively. While the depression stage substantially decreases the individual self worth. Manifesting in the form of worthlessness and insignificant leading towards or withdraw from society becoming anti-social.

Symptoms: trouble concentrating, lethargic behavior, self doubt, self blame and suicidal thoughts.

Hamlet's mood Cycles from depression to manic frequently occurs, supporting his diagnosis of bipolar disorder or manic depression.

Example 1
Act 1 scene 2

“Cast thy knighted colour off” ends with “these but the trapping and suits of woe”
Commonly someone who is depressed neglect their appearance, where proper clothing and hygiene are burden within their strength. Not to mention his use of “forc’d death", suggesting that his will and desire to live is little to none. Yet again one of the symptoms of bipolar disorder; suicidal thoughts contemplating the choice of death over an insufficient life. However he finds the idea of suicide challenging withstanding the church's influence of suffering in the afterlife. Moreover indecisive another characteristic of a depressed