Hamlet's Madness in William Shakespeare's Play
The Elizabethan play Hamlet is one of William Shakespeare's most
popular works written around the turn of the seventeenth century.
Hamlet is generally considered the foremost tragedy in English drama.
One of the possible reasons for this play's popularity is the way
Shakespeare uses the character Hamlet to exemplify the complex
workings of the human mind exploring ideas of insanity and madness.
The approach taken by Shakespeare in Hamlet has generated countless
different interpretations of meaning, but it is through Hamlet's
struggle to confront his internal dilemma, deciding when to revenge
his father's death, that the reader becomes aware that Shakespeare is
attempting to comment on the influence that one's state of mind can
have on one's actions.
Hamlet has always been seen as a volatile and ambivalent behaviour and
these characteristics have been the subject of much analysis. One
major issue is the question of the hero's sanity. Many parts of the
play support Hamlets loss of control in his actions, while other parts
uphold his ability of dramatic art. The issue can be discussed both
ways providing significant support to either theory. Most critics
maintain that Hamlet only pretends madness and then only at certain
times. They are supported by Hamlet's explicit avowal to Horatio after
he has seen the ghost of his father that he plans tofeign madness, and
that if Horatio notices any strange behavior from Hamlet, it is
because he is putting on an act.
"How strange or odd soe' er I bear myself-
As I, perchance, hereafter shall I think meet
To put an antic disposition on-"
...
... middle of paper ...
...tellectual capacity and unfocused "excess" of
thinking could be the source of his tragedy. Hamlet as we have seen is
an extremely philosophical and contemplative character. His ability to
undergo drastic changes of mentality is beyond that of a psychotic but
more of a character whose inner turmoil and downright melancholy, has
resulted in drastic actions. His public face is one of insanity but,
in his private moments of soliloquy, his inner conflicts and
introspective attitude are revealed to us. Alongside that, through his
confidences to Horatio, and in his careful plans of action, we see
that his madness is very much assumed. Instead as an audience we are
displayed the extent of pain and anguish that Hamlet feels and the
confusion that leads to some rash and impulsive actions made by this
intense character of Hamlet.
The Elizabethan play Hamlet is one of William Shakespeare's most
popular works written around the turn of the seventeenth century.
Hamlet is generally considered the foremost tragedy in English drama.
One of the possible reasons for this play's popularity is the way
Shakespeare uses the character Hamlet to exemplify the complex
workings of the human mind exploring ideas of insanity and madness.
The approach taken by Shakespeare in Hamlet has generated countless
different interpretations of meaning, but it is through Hamlet's
struggle to confront his internal dilemma, deciding when to revenge
his father's death, that the reader becomes aware that Shakespeare is
attempting to comment on the influence that one's state of mind can
have on one's actions.
Hamlet has always been seen as a volatile and ambivalent behaviour and
these characteristics have been the subject of much analysis. One
major issue is the question of the hero's sanity. Many parts of the
play support Hamlets loss of control in his actions, while other parts
uphold his ability of dramatic art. The issue can be discussed both
ways providing significant support to either theory. Most critics
maintain that Hamlet only pretends madness and then only at certain
times. They are supported by Hamlet's explicit avowal to Horatio after
he has seen the ghost of his father that he plans tofeign madness, and
that if Horatio notices any strange behavior from Hamlet, it is
because he is putting on an act.
"How strange or odd soe' er I bear myself-
As I, perchance, hereafter shall I think meet
To put an antic disposition on-"
...
... middle of paper ...
...tellectual capacity and unfocused "excess" of
thinking could be the source of his tragedy. Hamlet as we have seen is
an extremely philosophical and contemplative character. His ability to
undergo drastic changes of mentality is beyond that of a psychotic but
more of a character whose inner turmoil and downright melancholy, has
resulted in drastic actions. His public face is one of insanity but,
in his private moments of soliloquy, his inner conflicts and
introspective attitude are revealed to us. Alongside that, through his
confidences to Horatio, and in his careful plans of action, we see
that his madness is very much assumed. Instead as an audience we are
displayed the extent of pain and anguish that Hamlet feels and the
confusion that leads to some rash and impulsive actions made by this
intense character of Hamlet.