Insanity In Hamlet Essay - 975 Words

Questioning the Sanity of Hamlet In Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Hamlet’s sanity is questionable throughout the play. Insanity is defined as the â€Å"unsoundness of mind or lack of the ability to understand† (Merriam-Webster). In the play, Hamlet’s father, King Hamlet, is murdered by Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle, in secrecy. To make matter’s worse, Claudius then continues on to get married in an inscetuous relationship with Hamlet’s mother, the queen. Emotions are heightened when Hamlet then see’s a ghost that claim’s to be King Hamlet. The Ghost tells Hamlet that Claudius is the murderer and that Hamlet must seek revenge for his father’s death. In order to protect himself of being accused for treason, Hamlet decides he will act insane as an†¦show more content†¦Hamlet displays intelligence in the pursuit of avenging his father’s death. Hamlet again displays critical thinking when he does not blindly kill but first proves to himself that Claudius is, in fact, guilty. To do this, Hamlet requests a player to perform a play that Hamlet had edited to mimic King Hamlet’s murder. If Claudius â€Å"do blench, I know my course† (Shakespeare, II.ii.626-627), the course being murdering Claudius. By having a reaction to the play, Claudius is inadvertently admitting to Hamlet that he is guilty of murder. Some think that this is not enough evidence to commit treason, however, later in the play the readers learn that Claudius admits to murder in the secrecy of the church; â€Å"my offense is rank, it smells to the heavens; It hath the primal eldest curse upon ‘t, A brother’s murder† (Shakespeare, III.iii.40-42). By admitting his guilt it is know Hamlet is not insane, rather is justified in his pursuit of revenge. It is near impossible for Hamlet to prove Claudius guilty, and the play is the best way he can. It is irrefutable that the play is better than nothing, and this is a clear exhibit of critical thinking a quality insane people cannot posses. During the second appearance of the ghost, Hamlet is the only one who can see it. Many argue this is a sign the ghost is false, and Hamlet is crazy because he can see it. While having a conversation with his mother, Queen Gertrude, Hamlet sees the ghost and converses withShow MoreRelatedInsanity In Hamlet Essay1038 Words   |  5 PagesShakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet, the protagonist, Prince Hamlet, is an inconsolable young man who struggles with the death of his father, King Hamlet. Hamlet is confronted by the ghost of his father in the first act and discovers the truth of his father’s death. The Prince is horrified at the disclosure that his Uncle, King Claudius has murdered his father. He also finds himself outraged by his mother’s hasty remarriage; however, the Ghost forbids him to cause her any harm. Hamlet promises to avenge hisRead MoreHamlet Insanity Essay1199 Words   |  5 PagesHamlet’s Insanity Hamlets actions display something of a madman. 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He communicates withRead MoreEssay on hamlet: sanity vs insanity842 Words   |  4 Pages when he starts to carry out those actions, its it possible to say at what point the stops pretending and starts actually being crazy?†. In Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the way others interpret Hamlet’s behavior is different from the way Hamlet views himself. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Hamlet is in a situation where his sanity is turning into insanity. He is like one of those people who tell so many lies that they start believing their own lies. Hamlet’s acting is so vivid to him that, unconsciously