(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Hamlets Madness

             There are many factors in Shakespeare's Hamlet that lead us to think Hamlet is mad. Although if we really look into the reading and pay attention to little comments and gestures that he does throughout the play we come to a conclusion that he is just faking his insanity. Characters in the play accuse him of being mad for several reasons. Each one of them has his or her own theory to explain his so called madness. Hamlet's sanity is sprinkled throughout the whole play.
             Hamlet encounters the ghost in scene five of act one. First of all he does not seem stunned or surprised after seeing this spirit. Normally someone who comes across a ghost would either think he has gone mad or would just get scared and run off. Hamlet on the other hand speaks to the ghost as if he were just another character in the play. He listens to what the ghost has to say and from what he just heard he builds up plans and further thoughts to what may come about later on and what he should do. A second reason in this scene that would lead us to doubt his insanity is the fact that he was not in the least surprised when the ghost had told him what happened to his father and the real cause of his death. Hamlet already suspected someone who was close to the old throw holder had done something to the late king and that it was not just a sudden natural death. The ghost's information serves as a foundation that solidifies Hamlet's suspicions. The significance of all this is that Hamlet uses these reasons to compliment the fact that he wants people to think he is crazy. By doing that he buys himself more time to look into his father's death. Hamlet only pretends to be mad so that his plans will not be found out by Claudius, Polonius or any other person that may be suspicious of his actions. The ghost informs Hamlet of his father's murder and demands that Hamlet takes vengeance. Without the ghost, Hamlet's actions would seem much more insane.


Essays Related to Hamlets Madness

1. Hamlets madness

Hamlet's Madness" Is Hamlet Mad? ... In William Shakespeare's masterpiece Hamlet, there is much debate around the protagonist, Hamlet, and whether or not his madness in the play was real or feigned. ... His feigned madness permitted Hamlet to express these emotions freely towards Ophelia: "...Get thee to a nunnery, / farewell. ... Hamlet's pursuit of the truth and revenge was much better accompanied by madness rather than sanity which gave Hamlet a clear motive to fabricate insanity in the play. ... During Hamlet's feigned madness, whenever he was speaking to someone that...

  • Word Count: 1678
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Hamlets Madness

The idea of feigning madness is also apparent throughout Shakespeare's Hamlet. ... Though it sounds like a crazy idea, Hamlet is feigning madness in Shakespear's tragic play. ... Polonius sees a reason behind the madness, giving credibility to Hamlet's act. The King Claudius is also suspicious of the reason for Hamlet's madness. ... He realizes that this madness that Hamlet is showing could be dangerous to himself, or his kingdom. ...

  • Word Count: 736
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Hamlet's Madness

Hamlet goes through this madness after talking to his father's ghost while bystanders watch their conversation. ... At this point Hamlet is starting to loosen his madness but still in control. ... Hamlet shows his madness because he is being spontaneous. ... Hamlet starts to lose control of his madness when he talks to his mother about his father. ... Madness first showed after his father moaning "swear". ...

  • Word Count: 828
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

4. Hamlets Madness

The Act of Madness In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Prince Hamlet is believed by everyone to have gone mad. ... Hamlet does indeed act in madness like ways. ... Hamlets" madness is very weird and confusing. ... Hamlet admits to his madness to Laertes, who is now about to die. Hamlet says, "Roughly awake, I here proclaim my madness (V, ii 214)." ...

  • Word Count: 1944
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Hamlet's Madness

(II, I) This is really the first assumption that one can make about Hamlets madness. ... (II, II) Polonius defines madness here; he tells us that Hamlet is a perfect example of madness. ... Hamlet says, Roughly awake, I here proclaim my madness. (V, II) Hamlet finally admits that he does in fact have some madness. ... So, again we are left with our own opinion of Hamlets level of madness. ...

  • Word Count: 1318
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Hamlet: Madness is crucial to the play

In Shakespeare's Hamlet, there exist instances of madness that play a crucial role in the development and unfolding of the play. The three major illustrations of the madness are when Hamlet feigns his madness at the start of the play, Ophelia's madness after Polonius" death and Hamlet's semi-madness when he becomes violent with his mother towards the middle of the play. The first case of madness presented is Hamlet's feigned madness at the start of the novel. ... The madness Hamlet puts on is also reasonable because it shows his rationality and his morality. ... Final...

  • Word Count: 633
  • Approx Pages: 3

7. Is Hamlet's Madness Genuine?

Is Hamlet's Madness Genuine? ... Yet Hamlet seems to know how to use the guise of madness toward strategic ends keeping all the characters off balance and unable to see the threat he posses. It is under this cover of madness that Hamlet presents his trap, a "play within a play" to capture the conscience of the guilty King. ... These wise acts, under the appearance of madness, used to Hamlet's advantage do not seem to be ideas of one who has completely lost his mind. ... Hamlet uses his supposive act of madness for the worse when he kills Ophelia's father accidentally, eventua...

  • Word Count: 558
  • Approx Pages: 2

8. Hamlet Essay- Interpreting Madness

Polonius tells them that Hamlet's madness came from his daughter, Ophelia, in that she "ceased" to love Hamlet no more. ... Polonius concludes Hamlet's madness by stating "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't." ... Rosencrantz and Guildenstern too, try to test Hamlet's madness. ... Hamlet now decides that he must fight for honor, and not play tricks of madness. ... Hamlet's madness is so complex because deep inside he displays many qualities. ...

  • Word Count: 1206
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Hamlet's Madness

Hamlet's uncharted madness leads Hamlet to tell Ophelia, his dear love, he has never loved her. ... Hamlets madness doesn't stop with words. ... "Madness in great one's," the king insists "must not unwatched go."... However, his fate would not allow him to be overcome by a mere effort of a King to get rid of him and his madness. Hamlet's madness comes from something in his inner most soul that is boiling and tormenting him inside. ...

  • Word Count: 650
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question