FEATURED ESSAYS 1. Hamlet Criticism 2. Poem: The Fate Of Hamlet 3. Hamlet 12 4. Hamlet Vs Laertes 5. Ophelia As A Reason For Hamlet's ... 6. Hamlets Tragic Flaw 7. Hamlet - The Death Of Young Hamle... 8. Hamlet: Betrayed By His Mother An... 9. The Tragedy In Hamlet 10. Hamlet 3 11. Hamlet: Vengeance Is . . . Everyb... 12. Hamlets Problem 13. Hamlet’S Motives For Revenge 14. Hamlet - Why Did Hamlet Delay Kil...

Hamlet Essay

Comment on Hamlet's madness.  Do you think it was altogether assumed or can
you offer evidence to suggest that Hamlet was not always in complete
control of his action?

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.

Hamlet's antic disposition may have caused him in certain times that he is
in a roleplay.

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 I' th' 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 Oedipus complex. 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 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.