Hamlet Madness Analysis

Words: 874
Pages: 4
Open Document
After thoroughly analysing the tragic play of Hamlet written by Shakespeare, I have concluded that Hamlet only ever pretends to be mad.

A.C. Bradley’s view is that what the audience see as madness in Hamlet is really only his melancholy. This is very different from the madness which Hamlet feigns, as when he is alone or in the company of Horatio exhibit any signs of madness. I would argue a similar view because I believe that the sudden death of Hamlet’s farther, and the quick marriage of his mother with his uncle, would certainly make a huge impact on his life. It is evident that he struggles to come in terms with this new situation, and relationship. This is supported by the text; Hamlet says “ For, look you, how cheerfully my mother looks, …show more content…
I continue to strongly agree with this statement. Through Hamlet’s soliloquy we are able to understand his nature to overthink the simplest things. “But for a hope of something after death?” (Act III, Scene I). In one of soliloquy Hamlet explores the universal and timeless question about the purpose of life and the nature of death. This shows how intellectual Hamlet really is and that his thoughts are much broader. I personally think that this characteristic makes Hamlet capable of becoming insane as he is often not able to find the answer to his question, not only does this make him frustrated, but also indecisive of his actions. Hamlet’s will to always take moral and well though decisions make him indecisive, this is evident when Hamlet does not take revenge on Claudius till the very end of the play, even after he has proof that Claudius killed his father. “I am pigeon-livered and lack gall” (Act II, Scene II). This shows Hamlet’s lack of action, and his disappointment in himself as a result. It is also evident that Hamlet is not able to share any of his melancholy with anyone and suffers on his own, “But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue” (Act 1, Scene 2). Therefore I strongly agree that Hamlet could become insane later on as a result of his given characteristics, in a melancholic circumstance where he is unable to share his sufferings with …show more content…
Paul A. Jorgensen argues that his mental state before the third act was due to his suppressed anger towards his mother, and this comes to end when he confronts his mother in the end of Act Three. I believe that this is a very logical explanation as in the beginning of the play Hamlet’s soliloquy is evident of his inner anger which he expresses at himself. “Why, what an ass am I!” (Act II, Scene II). This shows us how he is self blaming and even self abusive in his expressions. Throughout the play it is obvious that Hamlet has ongoing inner conflicts, and I believe that his treatment of Ophelia is the point where we realise that he is not truly angry at himself or Ophelia, but his mother. In the encounter between Ophelia and Hamlet, Hamlet treats her very harshly and accuses her of not being honest. “Get thee to a nunnery…God has given you one face, and you make yourselves another.” (Act III, Scene I). Her Hamlet is expressing his suppressed anger towards his mother, who he feels has been unfaithful and incestuous when she married his
Show More

Related Documents: Hamlet Madness Analysis

Hamlet Madness And Action Analysis

Shakespeare choose Hamlet to develop madness which is the agent or main ingredient that related both action and inaction to Hamlet’s way of thought and actions. This means that Hamlet’s madness led him to both committee actions and giving up on himself showing the viewers inaction. The ability of taking action is presented tons of times during the timeline of the story but Hamlet chose to wait and waste a lot of good chances. First of all, let us talk about how madness contributes to and develops…

Words 507 - Pages 3

The Medieval Method Actor An Analysis of Hamlet s Madness and Melancholy Essay

The Medieval Method Actor An Analysis of Hamlet's Madness and Melancholy By Evan Jones Method acting, although a relatively young technique, has helped many actors achieve a higher quality performance. Usually, a method actor will call upon powerful emotions to bring life to their character. This results in a character that is more realistic and dynamic than that of a conventional actor. Although the ethics of method acting are often disputed, its effectiveness is not: Even James Franco…

Words 1706 - Pages 7

Shakespeare Major Paper

provides his readers is the topic of madness and insanity. In Karin S. Coddon’s, “Such Strange Desygns”: Madness, Subjectivity, and Treason in Hamlet and Elizabethan Culture, the author depicts the reasons behind the psychosis of Shakespeare’s characters and what led to their insanity. The author expresses insight for not only the themes of madness in Hamlet but also helps explain the aspect of madness in one Shakespeare’s other plays, Macbeth. Through her analysis, Coddon successfully offers her readers…

Words 2852 - Pages 12

Hamlet: Hamlet and Polonius Essay

Home : Hamlet : Study Guide : Summary and Analysis of Act 2 Hamlet Summary and Analysis by William Shakespeare Buy PDFBuy Paperback Act 2 Summary Scene 1 Act Two begins with Polonius speaking to one of his servants, Reynaldo, about his son, Laertes, who has by this time returned to Paris. We see Polonius in the act of sending Reynaldo after Laertes to inquire into his son’s conduct. He instructs Reynaldo very precisely in the method of obtaining this information. First, Reynaldo is to…

Words 1348 - Pages 6

A Critical Analysis of Shakespeare's Hamlet Essay

A Critical Analysis of Shakespeare's Hamlet Dave Beaston Hamlet. Is he an insane madman or a revengeful, scheming, genius? There are many conflicting ideas and theories on this subject, and hopefully this paper may be of some assistance in clearing up the confusion. The paper is divided into three separate analytic sections beginning with the beginning of Hamlet's so called madness, and why it may have occurred. Next, is an analysis of why Hamlet delays revenging his father's death.…

Words 1158 - Pages 5

Patriarchy Of Ophelia In Hamlet

Dumas takes it from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. In Hamlet is the constant theme of women being the key cause of disasters that face Hamlet and other characters. Though much of Shakespeare’s contemporaries probably shared in such sexisms, Hamlet is unique in that it is also rife with commentary on other social hierarchies, such as religion and insanity. Through the character of Ophelia, we can see the intersection of all three of these aspects, and through an analysis of her character can gain insight the…

Words 986 - Pages 4

Hamlet Dynamic Character

Hamlet Character Analysis Throughout the play, Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, it slowly reveals a lot about his very dynamic character Hamlet. He shows the audience what is really going on in his head within his monologues talking straight to the audience. One of the things that Hamlet shows us in the play is his level of insanity, and deciphering if it is realistic or irrational? This is one of the main questions we ask thought out the whole play. Another charter trait that Hamlet shows in the…

Words 879 - Pages 4

How Is Hamlet Annotated

Bibliography for Hamlet Critical Texts Adelman, Janet. “Man and Wife is One Flesh": Hamlet and the with the Maternal Body.” Hamlet, edited by Susanne L. Wofford, Bedford/St. Martin, 1994, pp. 113-117. 256-282. See the e-mail address. In Adelman’s essay, she highlights the complex relationship subconsciously shared between Hamlet and his mother Gertrude. Throughout various Shakespeare plays there is a focus on the maternal body being regarded as holy and pure. In the case of Hamlet, there is an underlying…

Words 1857 - Pages 8

Hamlet term paper

Courtney Wu English 12 Mr. Bunce 30 March 2015 An Analysis of Ophelia in Shakespeare’s Hamlet Ophelia is one of the most popular female characters in Shakespeare’s plays. She enjoys many appellations from bards -“most beautified Ophelia,” “sweet Ophelia,” “Poor Ophelia,” “minist'ring angel.” She is beautiful, obedient and loyal to her family, maybe even too loyal. Shakespeare integrates a great deal of analytical thought in his writing. Like in any other character, readers can find symbolism, motifs…

Words 3508 - Pages 15

Hamlet Betrayal Analysis

Shakespeare play, Hamlet. Many of the characters mislead one another as well as disbelieved their own feelings to certain characters, betraying themselves. The mystery and infidelity of Shakespeare’s characters show that the actions of double-crossing, falseness and let down in the appearance of each character. The relational acts of betrayal in Hamlet provides Shakespeare’s theme of the impossibility of certainty. The apparent act of betrayal in Hamlet is the murder of King Hamlet by his brother,…

Words 788 - Pages 4