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," (1.2.12

ior manipulation is his meeting with Ophelia while his uncle and Polonious are hiding behind a curtain. Hamlet's affection for Ophelia has already been established, and his complete rejection of her and what has transpired between them is clearly a fraud. Hamlet somehow suspects the eavesdroppers, just as he guesses that Guildenstern and Rosencrantz are sent by the King and Queen to question him and investigate the cause of his supposed madness. Hamlet's actions in the play, after meeting the ghost, lead everyone except Horatio to believe he is crazy.

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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 be" 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

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 851
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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A Method in Hamlet Madness

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