Hamlet7
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 in 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 ro
om. 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 politic worms are even at him." [Act IV, scene III, lines 20-21]. "If your messenger find him not there, seek him in the 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 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, Bernardo, Francisco, The Players, and Clowns, his actions are sensible. 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" [
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 915
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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