Madness and Insanity in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay -- GCSE Coursework

In Shakespeares settlement, in that location are two characters that screening qualities of insanity. They are critical point and Ophelia. Although they both appear to be mad at times, their downfall (or hypothetic downfall) is quite different. Ophelias crazed characteristics show up and raise quite rapidly, until she is lastly led to suicide. Her madness seems definite, and it is never questioned. The insanity or sanity of the principal(prenominal) character is an arguable question. The issue can be discussed both ways, with large support to either theory. Certainly, crossroads has umteen reasons to running him to becoming insane, because of the squeeze and emotional strain that he is suffering from. This mogul be luxuriant to cause the character to become deranged, but there is much enjoin that shows how Hamlet remains sharp and credible finished it all. Although in whatsoever instances Hamlet appears to be crazed, there are many indications that his madness is co mpletely an illusion that he is purposely trying to portray. Horatio gives Hamlet both(prenominal) frank advice when he says, What if it tempt you toward the flood my lord, or to the alarming summit of the drop cloth that beetles oer his base into the sea, and there assume some other grievous form which might deprive your sovereignty of reason, and work you into madness? opine of it (I.iv.69-74). This warning might be where Hamlet gets the thought process to use a plea of insanity to work out his murderous plan. In the adjacent scene, Hamlet tells Horatio that he is going to feign insanity. If Horatio notices that Hamlet begins to act strangely, it is solely because he is putting on an act, in recount to fulfill a future purpose. Later in the play, Polonius questions the authenticity of Hamlets madness.... ...s on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego Greenhaven Press, 1999. Excerpted from Stories from Shakespeare. N. p. E. P. Dutton, 1956. Danson, Lawrence. tragical rudi ment. advanced(a) Critical Interpretations Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. innovative York Chelsea House, 1986. Rpt. from Tragic Alphabet Shakespeares Drama of Language. N. p. Yale University Press, 1974. Felperin, Howard. Oerdoing Termagant. Modern Critical Interpretations Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. new(a) York Chelsea House, 1986. Rpt. of Oerdoing Termagant An Approach to Shakespearian Mimesis. The Yale Review 63, no.3 (Spring 1974). Hart, Bernard. The psychological science of Insanity. London Cambridge, 1914. Landis, Carney, and James D. Page. Modern Soceity and Mental Disease. New York Farrar and Rinehart, 1938. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Norton Critical ed. Ed. Cyrus Hoy. New York Norton, 1992. Madness and Insanity in Shakespeares Hamlet analyse -- GCSE Coursework In Shakespeares Hamlet, there are two characters that display qualities of insanity. They are Hamlet and Ophelia. Although they both appear to be mad at times, their downfall (or supposed downfall) is quite different. Ophelias crazed characteristics show up and intensify quite rapidly, until she is ultimately led to suicide. Her madness seems definite, and it is never questioned. The insanity or sanity of the main character is an arguable question. The issue can be discussed both ways, with significant support to either theory. Certainly, Hamlet has many reasons to lead him to becoming insane, because of the pressure and emotional strain that he is suffering from. This might be enough to cause the character to become deranged, but there is much evidence that shows how Hamlet remains sharp and credible through it all. Although in some instances Hamlet appears to be crazed, there are many indications that his madness is only an illusion that he is purposely trying to portray. Horatio gives Hamlet some good advice when he says, What if it tempt you toward the flood my lord, or to the dreadful summit of the cliff that beetles oer his base into the sea, and there assume some oth er horrible form which might deprive your sovereignty of reason, and draw you into madness? Think of it (I.iv.69-74). This warning might be where Hamlet gets the idea to use a plea of insanity to work out his murderous plan. In the following scene, Hamlet tells Horatio that he is going to feign insanity. If Horatio notices that Hamlet begins to act strangely, it is only because he is putting on an act, in order to fulfill a future purpose. Later in the play, Polonius questions the authenticity of Hamlets madness.... ...s on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego Greenhaven Press, 1999. Excerpted from Stories from Shakespeare. N. p. E. P. Dutton, 1956. Danson, Lawrence. Tragic Alphabet. Modern Critical Interpretations Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York Chelsea House, 1986. Rpt. from Tragic Alphabet Shakespeares Drama of Language. N. p. Yale University Press, 1974. Felperin, Howard. Oerdoing Termagant. Modern Critical Interpretations Hamlet. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York Chelsea House, 1986. Rpt. of Oerdoing Termagant An Approach to Shakespearean Mimesis. The Yale Review 63, no.3 (Spring 1974). Hart, Bernard. The Psychology of Insanity. London Cambridge, 1914. Landis, Carney, and James D. Page. Modern Soceity and Mental Disease. New York Farrar and Rinehart, 1938. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Norton Critical ed. Ed. Cyrus Hoy. New York Norton, 1992.