Hamlet Crazy Research Paper

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Recommended: The significance of the ghost in hamlet

James Maher

Mrs. Rue

CP English 12

April 11 2012

To be or Not to be Crazy

In Hamlet written by William Shakespeare there is many emotions and feelings. Recurring themes are also found such as self loathing and pity. Throughout the story we find that Hamlet is many things and carries many different emotions. Shockingly and through it all he is depressed, but sane. Hamlet goes through lots; he loses his father, his mother marries his uncle, and he doesn’t even get to be king. Unfortunate events like these cause him to act crazy around certain characters like Claudius, Polonius, Gertrude, and Guildenstern. Around characters such as Bernardo and Horatio Hamlet is perfectly rational.

Hamlet's fake craziness comes from his plot …show more content…

Acting as crazy as he did, Hamlet was not actually crazy. Depression put his decision making on edge and it seemed that the best thing for him to do was to act insane. Proving his saneness to two of his friends he says, “I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw. “(2.2.402-403) This quote could not be more clear, Hamlet clearly states that he is not crazy and he understands what is happening to him. On top of it all, all of the ghosts he claims to see make him appear even crazier, “The spirit that I have seen May be the devil, and the devil hath power T' assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps, Out of my weakness and my melancholy, As he is very potent with such spirits, Abuses me to damn me.” (2.2.627-632) He sees these ghosts and makes these crazy statements which can only lead people to buy into his false craziness. As previously stated he even has a play put on, “I'll have these players Play something like the murder of my father Before mine uncle. I'll observe his looks.” (2.2.548-150) All of these speeches and scenes Hamlet is putting on for his people really show how desperate he is to avenge his father's

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