Is Hamlet Insane Essay

Introduction In the play Hamlet by Shakespeare, the character Hamlet faces sorrows and tribulations after he finds out his father has died to the new king, Claudius. This series of events leads Hamlet to adopt a way of thinking that leads to characters thinking he is insane. However, Hamlet’s emotions do not inhibit his ability to reason enough to be considered “insane” at the times of murder. The Prosecution accuses Hamlet with manslaughter of Polonius and second degree murder of King Claudius.

Manslaughter The first murder was against Polonius in Act 3 Scene 4 when Hamlet’s mother calls for help. Polonius reveals his location behind the curtain and is then stabbed by Hamlet’s rapier. Arizona Rule 13-1103 states that manslaughter is when someone recklessly kills another individual. This rashness is identified by the Queen Gertrude on line 33 of the same act: “O, what a rash and bloody deed is this!” Hamlet then acknowledges he killed Polonius by stating “A bloody deed.” Both Hamlet and Gertrude recognize the quick, reckless decision Hamlet has made. Therefore, Hamlet

Even Polonius realizes this in Act 2 Scene 2 on line 223: “Though this be madness, yet there is / method in ‘t.” In the first part, Polonius has the preconceived notion that Hamlet is mad. Even with this preconceived idea, he still realizes that Hamlet has a method to his responses.

Method can also be shown with Hamlet’s famous speech To be or not to be. Some even consider this to be the most objective speech Hamlet has in the entire play (Uffelman, 2008). In this speech, Hamlet questions nobility. He compares “[taking] arms against a sea of troubles” and “to die, to sleep—No more.” In these quotes, Hamlet compares which is nobler: taking action or doing nothing. Hamlet shows a clear mind as he talks through the right thing to do. Insanity is the lack of this