A method in Hamlet Madness

A detailed Summary of A method in Hamlet Madness


In Hamlet, Shakespeare brings together a theme of madness with two characters, one truly mad, and one only acting mad to serve a motive. We can see this point through two characters namely Hamlet and Ophelia. The madness of Hamlet is frequently disputed. Ophelia's breakdown and Hamlet's brand of insanity argue for Hamlet having a method to his seeming insanity. The play offers a character on each side of sanity. While Shakespeare does not directly put Ophelia's insanity, or breakdown, against Hamlet's own madness, there is indeed a clear accuracy in Ophelia's condition and a clear uncertainty in Hamlet's madness. Obviously, Hamlet's character offers more evidences, while Ophelia's breakdown is quick, but more conclusive in its precision.

Shakespeare offers clear evidence pointing to Hamlet's sanity beginning with the first scene of the play. Hamlet begins with guards whose main importance in the play is to give credibility to the ghost. If Hamlet were to see his father's ghost in private, the argument for his madness would greatly improve. Yet, not one, but three men together witness the ghost before even thinking to notify Hamlet. As Hamlet says, "O that this too sullied flesh would melt,aE? (1.2


In the play, Shakespeare uses the dimmer light of reality to expose the brighter light of plan. Hamlet is dynamic, animated, and absurd in his madness, making Ophelia's true madness seem realistic rather than absurd. Hamlet explicitly states the plan of his madness, while Ophelia does not. To prove more of Hamlet's sanity, he questions his actions. "To be or not to beaE? proves that Hamlet still thinks before he performs his actions. Further, Hamlet has a motive behind leading others to believe that he is insane. Although Hamlet is under severe pressure and emotional strain due to the high situation in the play, he shows a remarkable amount of intelligent, conscious, and rational decision-making in efforts to resolve his situation. Thus we can see that Hamlet is not insane, but actually does have a method and can make intelligent decisions.

.129) we can see that he is depressed and appalled, but it does not mean he is insane. After the first meeting with the ghost, Hamlet greets his friends cheerfully and acts as if the news is good rather than the devastation it really is. This is the first glimpse of Hamlet's ability and inclination to manipulate his behavior to achieve effect. Clearly Hamlet is not feeling cheerful at this moment, but if he lets the guards know

Some common words found in the essay are:
King Queen, Ophelia Shakespeare, Hamlet Hamlet, Obviously Hamlet's, Indeed Hamlet's, Hamlet Ophelia, Hamlet Shakespeare, Guildenstern Rosencrantz, madness hamlet, madness ophelia, ophelia's breakdown, meeting ghost, hamlet's sanity, breakdown hamlet's, father's death, true madness, father's ghost, king's guilt,

Approximate Word count = 858
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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