Hamlet 5 Essay, Research Paper

John Patrick Zakhary

English take home test

Thursday, November 16, 2000

Hamlet insane???

Debatable

Shakespeare s tragic hero, Hamlet, and his sanity can arguably be discussed.

Many portions of the play supports his loss of control in his actions, while other parts

uphold his ability of dramatic art. The issue can be discussed both ways and altogether

provide significant support to either theory. There are indications from Hamlet

throughout the play of his mind s well being. Such as his relationship with Ophelia, the

queen and his acknowledgement of his own state of mind.

Hamlet s antic character may have caused him in certain times that he is in a

role-play.

Hamlet has mood swings as his mood changes abruptly throughout the

play. Hamlet appears to act mad when he hears of his father s murder. At the time he

speaks wild and whirling words: Why, right; you are I” the right; And so, without more

circumstance at all, I hold it fit that we shake hands and part… [Act I, scene V, lines

127-134]. It seems as if there are two Hamlets in the play, one that is sensitive and an

ideal prince, and the insane barbaric Hamlet who from an outburst of passion and rage

slays Polonius with no feeling of remorse, Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell!

I took thee for thy better. Take thy fortune. Thou find st to be too busy is some danger. -

[Act III. scene IV, lines 31-33] and then talks about lugging his guts into another room.

After Hamlet kills Polonius he will not tell anyone where the body is. Instead he assumes

his ironic matter which others take it as madness. Not where he eats, but where he is

eaten. A certain convocation of political worms a e en at him. [Act IV, scene III, lines

20-21] If your messenger find him not there, seek him In the other place yourself. But,

indeed, if you find him not within this month, you shall nose him as you go up the stairs

into the lobby. [Act IV, scene iii, lines 33-36].

Hamlet s behavior throughout the play, especially towards Ophelia is

inconsistent. He jumps into Ophelia s grave, and fights with Laertes in her grave. He

professes I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers could not, with all their quantity of

love, Make up my sum [Act V, scene I, lines 250-253], during the fight with Laertes in

Ophelia s grave, but he tells her that he never loved her, when she returns his letters and

gifts, while she was still alive. Hamlet subtly hints his awareness of his dissolving sanity

as he tells Laertes that he killed Polonius in a fit of madness [Act V, scene II, lines 236-

250]

Hamlet has violent outbursts towards his mother. His outburst seems to be out of

jealousy, as a victim to the desire a son has for his mother s love. He alone sees his

father s ghost in his mother s chambers. Every other time the ghost appeared someone

else has seen it. During this scene he finally shows his madness, because his mother does

not see the ghost. On him, on him! Look you how pale he glares! his form and cause

conjoined, preaching to stones, would make them capable. [Act III, scene IV, lines 126-

128].

Throughout the play, there are also supporting factors to argue Hamlet s sanity, as

these details compromise his madness, to balance out his mental state. Hamlet tells

Horatio that he is going to feign madness, and that if Horatio notices any strange behavior

from Hamlet, it is because he is putting on an act. [Act I, scene V, lines 166-180].

Hamlet s madness in no way reflects Ophelia s true madness, his actions contrast

them. Hamlet s madness is only apparent when he is in the presence of certain characters.

When Hamlet is around Polonius, Claudius, Gertrude, Ophelia, Rosencrantz and

Guildenstern, he behaves unreasonably. When Hamlet in the presence of Horatio,

Bernado, Francisco, The Players, and Gravediggers, his actions are sensible.

Other characters confess that Hamlet s actions are still unsure whether Hamlet s

insanity is authentic or not. Claudius confesses that Hamlet s actions although strange, do

not appear to stem from madness. And I do doubt the hatch and the disclose will be

some danger; which for to prevent, I have in quick determination [Act III, scene I, lines

165-167]. Polonius admits that Hamlet s actions and words have a method to them;

there appears to be a reason behind them, they are logical in nature. Though this be

madness, yet there is method in t. [Act II, scene II, line 206]

Hamlet tells his mother that he is not insane I essentially am not in madness, But

mad in craft. [Act III, scene IV, lines 188-199]. Hamlet believes in his sanity at all

times, He never doubts his control over his sanity. He realizes his flaw as a man of

thoughts and not actions. His cold act of Polonius murder is out of rage and furious

temper. He is sorry for it has no great compassion towards Polonius, for he already has

enough grief over his father s death.

Hamlet, a tragic hero, meets his tragic end not because he was sane or insane. He

ends tragically because of his own tragic flaw, procrastination and grief. Whether he sane

or had lost control of his actions, both theories has it own support. The support makes

each theory a sensible decision either way. Hamlet as seen from the beginning to end, a

prince that was grieve stricken, until a prince of rage and passion, has developed through

the stages by his own sanity and madness. Even if the madness was true or false, as

Hamlet portrayed the role of a mad man, he took it upon himself to be lost in his control

of actions.