Hamlet's Madness Research Paper

Hamlet’s Madness
Whether Hamlet was truly mad or not has sparked many conflicting answers about The Tragedy of Hamlet. However, there is more powerful evidence pointing to the fact that Hamlet is truly mad. As Shakespeare develops his characters, Hamlet seems to become crazier as the play progresses. Hamlet’s true madness is shown by Hamlet ignoring Horatio’s warning not to speak to the ghost, his disregard for human life, and through the appearance of a ghost that only Hamlet can see. Shakespeare uses prince Hamlet as a demonstration of true madness as he goes mad after speaking to the ghost of his father, proving that madness will consume you and hurt those around you. What does this show you about madness? How does it connect to Ophelia? …show more content…
When the ghost first started to appear Hamlet’s friend Horatio warns him stating “And there assume some other horrible form, which might deprive your sovereignty of reason and draw you into madness?”(1.4.75-77). Horatio warns Hamlet of following the ghost and says that going with the ghost may drive him into a state of madness. Hamlet chooses to ignore Horatio’s warning and follows the ghost anyway. This quote by Horatio occurs when the prince is not acting out of the norm however this warning of Horatio exclaiming how Hamlet may go mad if he follows the ghost. It is at this point that marks the turn of Hamlet’s mental stability. Shortly after Hamlet’s encounter with the ghost Ophelia goes to Polonius scared about Hamlet. Ophelia explained to Polonius: “no hat upon his head, his stockings fouled, ungartered, and down-gyved to his ankle, pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other, and with a look so piteous in purport...” (2.1.87-94). This terrified explanation of Hamlet that Ophelia presents to Polonius, demonstrates how shaken up Hamlet is after speaking to the ghost. This corresponds to Hamlet being truly mad by his pale look and how it appears that he came from hell with how bad he looks, as a madman would not look well and may be terrifying to those who know him. This cannot be an act due to the physical appearance of Hamlet being pale. Although the way you act and dress is easy to fake the tone of your skin in relation to how you are feeling is not as easy to

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