Hamlet 16
Great literary works retain their popularity as a result of many different factors. One such factor which can lead to popularity of a work, current or consistent discussion of a work's merit, can come into play when an author or playwright leaves questions unanswered in his work. In Hamlet, William Shakespeare creates such a situation. As a result of the ambiguity of clues given throughout this play, critics may argue for or against the idea that Prince Hamlet's "antic disposition" put on as a facade to mislead the royal family pales in comparison to the disposition of Hamlet's problems, or in other words, that Hamlet in fact truly succumbs to insanity due to the weakness of his character. Evidence for this opinion can be derived from Hamlet's erratic mood changes, careless slaughter of those not directly involved in the murder of his father, and interactions with the ghost of King Hamlet. For a man thought to be feigning insanity, Prince Hamlet seems to have very little control of his emotions. In fact, Hamlet admits this to Horatio, when he says, "Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting that would not let me sleep"(5.2 lines 4-5). This lack of restraint leads to Hamlet's unpredictable mood swings througho
In conclusion, Hamlets "antic disposition' can easily be understood, through examples of Hamlet's unpredictable attitude changes, slaughter of innocents, and interactions with the ghost of his father, to be only the tip of the iceberg concerning the weakness of his character and the bringing about his constant turmoil and problems. To father this idea of Hamlet's insanity of problems, one can observe the prince's interaction with the ghost of his father. For example, after Hamlet's first interaction with the ghost, he puts forth, as Horatio calls them, "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, You, as your business and desire shall point you, for every man hath business and desire such as it is, and for my own poor part, look you, I will go pray."(1.5 lines 127-134) Anther possibility exists in relation to Act 3 Scene 4 in which Hamlet sees the ghost of his father, while Gertrude cannot see the specter. It is important to remember that in all other encounters with the ghost, Hamlet was not the only person to behold the spirit. In this scene however Hamlet alone sees the ghost suggesting that the second ghost was only his imagination. This imagination would s
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Approximate Word count = 857
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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