Hamlets Insanity - 1513 Words

Is Hamlet Insane or Sane? Throughout the play of Hamlet, one of Shakespeares most famous tragedys the main character, Hamlet is faced with the responsibility of getting vengeance for his fathers murder. He decides to pretend madness as part of his plan to get the opportunity to kill Claudius who was the suspected murderer. As the play goes on, his portrayal of a madman becomes believable, and the characters around him respond quite vividly. Through his inner thoughts and the obvious reasons for his actions, it is clear that he is not really mad and is simply an actor faking insanity in order to complete the duty his father assigned him. Hamlet only owns up to his madness because it buys him time to stay and perform actions if he†¦show more content†¦When he talks to Guildenstern and Rosencrantz, Hamlet is clever to realize what their actual pupose of visiting was. I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw. (2.2.401). Hamlet is able to play with his fr iends through his madness and is still capable to maintain his secret of what he is really doing. Hamlet is so creative in his responses made to express his madness that Poloniuss comments on there skill. Though this be madness, yet there is method int (2.2.223). Hamlets smarts and acting of a madman make it to much to be a madman. Many would point to the murder of Polonius and say that Hamlets action was caused by insanity. According to this believe, unlike all his other actions he was spontaneous and almost thoughtless, but it is not true. Almost directly before his arrival in the chambers of his mother, Hamlet had been upset in his attempt to kill Claudius because he was praying. However, at the time he felt ready to correct his revenge. When he goes to his mothers room not only did he most likely still have this feeling within him, her reaction towards his attempt at an explanation probably increase his anger for Claudius. When his mother calls for help, Poloniuss voice muffled from behind the curtains, Hamlet may have thought he was Claudius and therefore killed with no need for additional thought even though it couldnt have been since he had just sawShow MoreRelated Madness and Insanity in Shakespeares Hamlet - Hamlet and Insanity1908 Words   |  8 PagesHamlet and Insanity  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   William Shakespeare’s supreme tragic drama Hamlet does not answer fully for many in the audience the pivotal question concerning the sanity of Hamlet – whether it is totally feigned or not. 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Although Hamlet and Ophelia are the only characters thought to be so afflicted, the reactions of other characters to this madness mirrors their own preoccupations.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When one refers to madness in Hamlet, most would think of Hamlets madness, orRead More Madness and Insanity in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay1390 Words   |  6 Pages     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Shakespeares Hamlet, there are two characters that display qualities of insanity.   They are Hamlet and Ophelia.   Although they both appear to be mad at times, their downfall (or supposed downfall) is quite different.   Ophelias crazed characteristics show up and intensify quite rapidly, until she is ultimately led to suicide.   Her madness seems definite, and it is never questioned.   The insanity or sanity of the main character is an arguable question.   The issue can be discussed bothRead More Use of Insanity and Madness in Hamlet Essay1141 Words   |  5 Pages It is or is it not true that Hamlet was faking his insanity? I’m not saying Hamlet was faking the whole thing. The meaning for insanity on Dictionary.com is â€Å"a permanent disorder of the mind.† I dont think Hamlet had a permanent disorder of the mind he knew what he was doing and even planned the majority of the events that happened. Most of the time anyway. Having your father die is bad enough, but to have your mother marry your uncle, within a few weeks of your father’s death? Then to see