Similarities Between 'Hamlet And Death Of A Salesman'

Derek Baker
English
Mrs. Snyder
1 November 2014

Psychosis Literature can be a very interesting subject. Characters themselves tell fascinating stories whether it is a charming prince or a beloved soldier, a senile old man or a man trying to make his dreams of being king become true. During the stories there are many twist and schemes which causes the readers to be on the edge of their seats. In these twist and schemes of the play Macbeth, Hamlet and Death of a Salesman. Some of the characters became crazy. This essay will explain why and how some of the characters escalate into this psychotic state. Macbeth was a very charismatic play written by William Shakespeare. In this play Macbeth is the Thane of Glamis. The play begins on
Hamlet not knowing if Claudius really did kill his dad devises a plan. He plans to put a play on about how his Dad is killed. The way Claudius reacts to the play will let him know if he really did kill his father. When the play comes to the part of the death Claudius leaves. Hamlet decides that he is guilty of the crime. When Hamlet goes to kill Claudius he finds him praying. If he kills him while he is praying his soul would have went to Heaven, so he decides to wait. Now Claudius has caught onto Hamlet finding out he killed the king. Since he knows Hamlet knows the truth, he sends him to England to collect war money. Claudius just wants Hamlet out of the way. When Hamlet’s Mom wants to talk to him after the play Polonius is hiding in the room. Hamlet thinking it was Claudius kills Polonius. Hamlet while talking to his mom a ghost appears and Hamlet says “[…] save me with your wings, you heavenly guards! what would your gracious figure?” in response Gertrude said “Atlas, he’s mad” (Shakespeare, Hamlet A3, S4,) this is showing that it is only Hamlet who can see the ghost. Which means it could all just be in his head. Finding out about Polonius, Claudius sent Hamlet to England immediately. Before the ship sets sail, the king gave Hamlet’s friends
Will came home early from a business trip one night exhausted. His wife Linda is trying to tell him to talk to his boss Howard Wagner about staying in New York instead of traveling and tells her he will talk to him. Then he starts complaining that Biff his oldest son who is home to visit has not made anything out of his life yet. As Willy is talking it the kitchen to himself, Biff and Happy, his younger brother who is also visiting, are converse about their fathers yelling down stairs. Then Willy then begins to day dream. Willy talking to himself shows he is not in the right state of mind. In his day dream his kids are younger in high school and they are washing the car for Willy who is home form a business trip and they are taking when the neighbor’s son Bernard enters to tell biff he has to study for the math in order to pass. He leaves a young Linda enters and he starts to complain to her. She comforts him, and then he engages another day dream of hi flirting with a woman who is thanking him for the stockings. She leaves and he appears in his old dream in the kitchen. Linda is mending stocking and still comforting him. He gets mad and tells her to get rid of the stockings. Linda tells him that biff needs to return the football he stole and Bernard renters to talk to Biff. Willy scolds Linda and Bernard and the day dream end. Happy comes down telling Willy to quiet down. Charley the