Preview

The Role Of Insane In Shakespeare's Hamlet

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
460 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Role Of Insane In Shakespeare's Hamlet
Hamlet is a very ironic play.You may start to question each characters thoughts at one point in the script. Especially the main character Hamlet, does he truly go insane or is it all a trick? For me in this play I never knew what was to be expected.

In the play Hamlet is he really insane or is he faking? Hamlet has a plan from the beginning and that is to find out answers about his fathers death, and his suspicions lead him to his uncle. He decides to act like he was going insane to hopefully get answers revealed from his uncles. In the play he is so used to acting like he is insane he eventually becomes insane.

By Hamlet trying act insane put him to a major disadvantage in the story. You do have those who feel sorry for him and take
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    How Does Hamlet Respond To Horatio's Character
    • 819 Words
    • 4 Pages

    How Does Hamlet Respond To Horatio's Character

    Sometimes the way the world perceives somebody’s character is not always accurate. In Shakespeare’s infamous play Hamlet, Hamlet is thought to be a mentally unstable character. When he isn’t feigning madness, Hamlet is a well educated individual, who is capable of manipulation as well as a capacity for sarcastic wit. Shakespeare effectively portrays Hamlet’s true character through his interactions with other characters as well as his instinctive emotional responses.…

    • 819 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Examples Of Insane In Hamlet
    • 457 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Examples Of Insane In Hamlet

    Hamlet appears to be insane, after Polonius's death, in act IV scene II. There are indications, though, that persuade me to think other wise. Certainly, Hamlet has plenty of reasons to be insane at this point. His day has been hectic-he finally determined Claudius had killed his father, the chance to kill Claudius confronted him, he comes very close to convincing Gertrude that Claudius killed his father, he accidentally kills Polonius, and finally the ghost of his father visits him. These situations are enough to bring Hamlet to insanity, but he remains sharp and credible.<br><br>Hamlet is able to make smart remarks to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, comparing then to sponges, "When he (Claudius) needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing…

    • 457 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Theme Of Insanity In Shakespeare's Hamlet
    • 147 Words
    • 1 Page

    Theme Of Insanity In Shakespeare's Hamlet

    Hamlet’s behavior makes everyone worry about his insanity, but his sagacious thinking shows his actions are thought out, and his depressive state of mind. Hamlet does not appear to be suffering from insanity or from the disabling mental illness, schizophrenia. The National Institute of Mental Health describes the illness, “People with positive symptoms often ‘lose touch’ with reality” (“What is Schizophrenia” 2). With schizophrenia, just like with insanity, someone might lose their understanding of what’s right and what’s wrong. In the play, Hamlet states his plan, “As I perchance hereafter shall think meet / To put an antic disposition on” (I.v.172-173). Hamlet clearly confesses to Horatio he will have to act erratic behavior. Through this…

    • 147 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Examples Of Insanity In Hamlet
    • 872 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Examples Of Insanity In Hamlet

    He obviously shows his depression, expressing his contempt for his father 's successor Claudius, as well as his mother for marrying Claudius shortly after the late King Hamlet 's death. Depression also links to suicidal thoughts, of which Hamlet also suffers, as seen from his first soliloquy- "To be or not to be: that is the question" (III:i:131)₂. Despite suffering from depression, Hamlet clearly proves he has full sanity. For example, he talks to Horatio in a sane manner when he discusses his plans for revenge with him. His only acts of "insanity" occur when around nobles or figures of high authority, such as Claudius or Polonius. The acts of insanity have a deep underlying motive- to fool the entire court of Denmark into thinking he has gone mad. He does so in order to convince Claudius that he serves no threat to the king 's throne. The seemingly insane behavior also cloaks his plans for revenge and prevent him from looking suspicious to Claudius. These sources prove that Hamlet has indeed not gone insane. Therefore, his eccentricity serves as a part of his plan for…

    • 872 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Examples Of Insanity In Hamlet
    • 1326 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Examples Of Insanity In Hamlet

    Early on in the play the reader is shown that Hamlet is going to act insane in order to figure out the murder of his father. Therefore, at random moments throughout the play, Hamlet will act insane in so that he can in turn retrieve more information about the death of his father. Although young and handsome Hamlet says he is feigning his madness many readers have called into question whether or not he is genuinely mad. The fact that he is indeed going mad at times is true. It is true for many reasons. Reasons such as questioning his existence, showing true evidence of insanity not achievable by a sane person and at times using consequentialism in his train of thought. There are many factors that play into…

    • 1326 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Why Is Hamlet Crazy
    • 1634 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Why Is Hamlet Crazy

    “Great wits are sure to madness near allied, and thin partitions do their bounds divide”. Although this quote by John Dryden was not directed towards Hamlet, this quote relates well to the argument of whether or not Hamlet was insane. The character of Hamlet in Shakespeare’s play The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is perhaps one of the most complex tragic heroes and possibly the most analyzed in all of English literature. Whether Hamlet was actually insane, or simply acting mad depends on the reader’s interpretation of the play. Hamlet is a complex character, he is the direct result of his psychological disorders. He is capable of quickly changing his emotions and state of mind from being happy, to being sorrowful, to being seemingly…

    • 1634 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Madness In Hamlet
    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Essay On Madness In Hamlet

    Since Shakespeare first wrote Hamlet there has been discussion about whether or not Hamlets madness is real. Some would say it is not madness that leads Hamlet, but the death of his father or his mother marrying his uncle. Throughout the story, Hamlets actions of thinking about suicide, getting rejected by Ophelia, and believing in the ghost can lead the audience to believe that Hamlet has been overtaken by madness.…

    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet's Insanity
    • 500 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Hamlet's Insanity

    In Shakespeare's "Hamlet", Hamlet, the main character, displays a very indecisive and uncertain demeanor throughout Hamlet. This recurrent behavior is displayed when: Hamlet first encounters the Ghost of his father, to learn that Hamlet's Uncle, the King, killed Hamlet's Father, also in Shakespeare's most prolific monologue of Hamlet and lastly when Hamlet stabs one of the King's confidants, Polonius. Hamlet's wavering decision making as well as his uncertainty in everything leads to Hamlet's apparent insanity; although he is not completely insane, just to a certain degree that allows him to be somewhat sane.…

    • 500 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Is Faking Being Insane
    • 999 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Hamlet Is Faking Being Insane

    You can push my buttons, but you can’t play me for a fool” (Shakespeare 3.2.336-40). Hamlet means he is not a pipe that can be played whenever, and he is the person who can see the tricks and lies and can’t be fooled easily. Also, that's when Hamlet found out they were not true friends, they were fake, but nothing will stop Hamlet either way. Another quote from Hamlet’s point of view, stating he isn’t crazy is “Madness? My heart beats just as evenly as yours does. There’s nothing crazy in what I’ve just uttered. Put me to the test. I’ll rephrase everything I’ve just said, which a lunatic couldn’t do” (Shakespeare 3.4.143-55). This quote tells you he is faking being insane as well because Hamlet is saying he could recall what he says, which a lunatic wouldn’t be able to do. People around Hamlet think he is going crazy, although it could be everyone else. For instance, Hamlet should be able to speak his mind and be straight forward because he is trying to tell the truth but no one will listen. Also, someone like Hamlet has time to plot out his revenge and knows what he is going to do. A lunatic would have no clue to do something like…

    • 999 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Theme Of Insanity In Hamlet
    • 868 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Theme Of Insanity In Hamlet

    Shakespeare’s hero, Hamlet, and his insanity is shown and is demonstrated in the different parts of the play. Many parts in the play points out his madness and his loss of control. Hamlet shows many mood swings throughout the play that makes him act mad and speaks like an insane. Hamlet illustrates many unclear emotions to show his insanity. We can see that there are two versions of Hamlet in the play because of the different actions. Sometimes he acts as a perfect prince and sometimes he acts as he is mad. There is a shift in the different personality Hamlet image, he therefore shows us that he in fact insane, with many example shown throughout the play.…

    • 868 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Theme Of Madness In Shakespeare's Hamlet
    • 591 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Theme Of Madness In Shakespeare's Hamlet

    In the play, Hamlet, he was believed to have feigned his madness. I believe he did this as a way to get away with murder. The entire time Hamlet knew what was coming for him if he succeeded at getting revenge for his father’s murder. Overtime, Hamlet begins to cross the line into madness. Ophelia, also feigned her madness just to get Hamlet’s head back in the game. She was on a mission to figure out why Hamlet has gone mad.…

    • 591 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Madness Essay
    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Hamlet Madness Essay

    The king uses this as a ploy to try and send Hamlet back to England so he doesn’t eventually have to give up his crown and what he now has as king. There was no need to believe that Hamlet’s madness was not real. To understand the madness in Hamlet, the reader will have to inspect that throughout this play, there are many other signs of madness other than just Hamlet’s. If Hamlet were thought to be really and truly mad, would his character have shown more stages, feeling, effects, and events in…

    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Essay
    • 738 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Hamlet Essay

    Hamlet has gone through a series of unfortunate events enough to make anyone go mad, but instead, Hamlet is perfectly sane. Sometimes, the most insane thing to do is be sane.…

    • 738 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet
    • 846 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Hamlet

    Hamlet is Shakespeare 's most popular and enduring play. One of the reasons for this is because throughout the play there are multiple ways to interpret Hamlet’s state of mind. Hamlets sanity is simply a question of personal opinion. Many critics may argue that Hamlet is insane because of his suicidal thoughts and the way he acts throughout the play. It is clearly stated in the text that Hamlet is only acting the part of an insane person, so he can cover up his true motifs. Although Hamlet seems insane, it is quite obvious that he is in fact very sane. We know he is only acting insane and is truly in a sane, normal state of mind, because he admits to the people he is close to that he is going to act insane, he is also able to use reason in the way he thinks and acts. Hamlet’s “insanity’ is the way he is coping with all of his melancholy.…

    • 846 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Hamlet Themes
    • 473 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Hamlet Themes

    I think Hamlet is sane. He does things that make him seem crazy but a lot has occurred in a short period of time. His uncle murdered his father and his mother married his uncle to stay on the throne. In the end I think he is just very upset and disturbed by the whole situation, which causes him to act without thought.…

    • 473 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More

Related Topics