The Sanity of Hamlet
Shakespeare's tragic hero, Hamlet, and his sanity can arguably be discussed. Many portions of the play support 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 has mood swings as his mood changes abruptly throughout the play. 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, and then talks about lugging his guts into another room. After Hamlet kills Polonius he will not tell anyone where the body is located. Instead he assumes his ironic matter which others take it as madness. "Not where he eats, but where he is eaten. 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
Hamlet tells his mother that he is essentially not mad, but mad in craft. 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. In no way does Hamlet's madness, reflect Ophelia's true
Some common words found in the essay are:
Players Gravediggers, Hamlet Shakespeare's, Laertes Ophelia's, Ophelia Forty, Rosencrantz Guildenstern, throughout play, hamlet's actions, control actions, lost control actions, hamlet's madness, lost control, hamlet tells, tragic hero, ophelia's grave,
Approximate Word count = 734
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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