Signs Of Insanity In Hamlet

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Hamlet is a play that leaves you with your mouth gaping open as you ask yourself, “what just happened?”. There are so many open ended questions that will never be officially answered, leaving readers to interpret the play on their own. Was Hamlet truly in love with Ophelia? Did Gertrude know Claudius’s secret the whole time? Who is Fortinbras? These are the thoughts that make you question every piece of the play; these open ended questions are what makes William Shakespeare a timeless genius. People all over the world debate these thoughts still today, four centuries later. I would like to share with you my stance on one of these common debates: was Hamlet insane? Some signs of insanity include: inability to think critically, loss of morals, and loss of interest. Hamlet struggled throughout the play with mental and emotional challenges, but insanity was never truly present.
One sign of insanity includes having trouble thinking critically. Some may have trouble comprehending what is going on and …show more content…

In Act 1 Scene 5 Hamlet warns Horatio that he may “ put an antic disposition on” (I. V. 170-172), meaning he had intentions to act crazy in front of the king and queen. After Hamlet shares his brilliant idea of the play he is putting on for his uncle-father he asks for Horatio’s help to watch the king’s reaction and explains “I must be idle” (III. ii. 85) meaning he plans to act foolish before and during the play to keep up with appearances. The king and queen believed Hamlet was insane and Hamlet believed it would soon benefit him as they would be more open around him thinking he would not understand what was actually happening. Although Hamlet put on a fantastic performance Claudius, while conversing with Polonius, states, “what he spake, though it lacked form a little. Was not like madness.” (III. i. 163-164), confessing that he knew Hamlet was mad, but

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