The Right to an Education
What is it that classifies an individual's sanity? How does one react when the obsession of destroying something is developed, yet risks of experiencing psychological instability exist if he attempts to destroy that something is made? In one of Shakespeare's most renowned tragedies, Hamlet, the main character Hamlet faces that very dilemma. Returning to Denmark to attend the funeral of his father, the king, and the remarriage of his mother to his uncle Claudius, Hamlet is visited by his father's ghost. The ghost recounts his murder by Claudius, and commands Hamlet to seek revenge. Between the actual murder of Claudius one explores Hamlet's complicated frame of mind and his "madness." Hamlet's attitudes and actions throughout the play, influenced at times by others, illustrate that this "madness" is less than madness and more than feigned. Hamlet's role in the Danish society is one of high rank. He is the son of the late king of Denmark. Denmark, at that time being the head of world affairs. Hamlet is well known by all of his countrymen, and therefore any open thoughts, feelings or acts in a hostile manner will not be tolerated by them. Hamlet purposely wears the mask of one that is mad as a re
Hamlet has reasoning behind his acts of insanity. Hamlet feigns madness in order to protect himself from his enemies and allows for a certain margin of imaginative freedom. Hamlet acts insanely to attain isolation from others and to remind him of his father's murder. He has a blueprint of his vengeful plan towards Claudius. Hamlet is aware of others like Polonius, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and Ophelia trying to spy on him. From his sharp intuition and intelligence, Hamlet's activities are never uncovered. Although he is sane, Hamlet does temporarily lose his mind. Hamlet grows tired of the attempted trickery, and his frustration causes his temporary insanity. When emotions clash, madness is derived. The actions and attitudes as expressed by Hamlet and other characters prove that his "madness" is less than madness and more than feigned. At first Hamlet simply tolerated the spying. However, his statements are becoming increasingly straightforward and reveal his impatience. How does Hamlet rectify the situation? Claudius carefully plans hamlet's death: Hamlet is to be murdered once he enters England by order of the King (of England). Hamlet arranges for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to take his place. One woman that Hamlet cares for has already tried to spy on him. Can Hamlet endure another disappointment by another woman that he is affectionate towards? While in Gertrude's room, Hamlet hears a voice from behind the curtains and says, "How now! A rat? Dead, for a ducat, dead." (III, IV, ll 25) Hamlet's feelings are now a mixture of betrayal, frustration, and anger. This is the crucial point where Hamlet reaches temporary insanity. A spy in his mother's room is too much for Hamlet to bear. Polonius' murder was committed in a brief instance of insanity. This proven as later, when his mind becomes focused and he is questioned about the murder he admits to the act, "...I here proclaim was madness." (V, II, ll 223) Hamlet admits his loss of control. Thus far, characters supposedly close to Hamlet, namely Polonius, Claudius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern attempt to spy on him. Hamlet's agitation as a result of this is unveiled little b
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1469
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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