Analysis of Hamlet's madness

¶ … Hamlet's Madness

Fully discuss and analyze Hamlet's madness and his reactions to the situations in the play. Explain if he is truly mad or if his actions are feigned. The editors ask if how readers "can tell the difference between sanity and madness." How should readers account for his behavior throughout the play?

One of the best plays that were written is Hamlet. This is because William Shakespeare is using the main character to illustrate the various emotions that he (Hamlet) is experiencing when he returns home. Where, he discovers a number of problems and is reacting to them in very unique ways. On the surface this appears to be nothing more than ordinary drama that is being added. However, when digging a little deeper, Hamlet is engaging in activities that are bordering on insanity. To understand if he is truly mad requires: looking at the numerous actions he engaged in and then analyzing if they are considered to be rational. Once this occurs, is it will offer the greatest insights as to how readers can account for his behavior during the play.

Hamlet's Unstable Actions

There are a number of different actions that Hamlet engaged in which highlight how he is considered to be insane. A few of the most notable include: the visit by his dead father's ghost, the killing of Polonius and the dysfunctional behavior that he is exhibiting at the end of the play. These elements are important, because the combination of them is highlighting how Hamlet is mentally disturbed.

The Visit by the Dead Father's Ghost

In the first act of the play Hamlet's dead father appears and tells him that he must avenge his death by going after Claudius. This is his uncle that has inherited the throne. At the same time, he has married his mother Queen Gertrude. This will influence Hamlet's actions as he will follow the directives of the ghost and concentrate on seeking to retaliate for the death of his father. When you look at the situation, it is clear that Hamlet is suffering from various kinds of delusional behavior. The reason why, is because he was upset and wanted to seek out some kind of retribution. This is troubling, because the powerful emotions that he is feeling are contributing to him having thoughts about a larger plot against his father. At which point, he decides to spend all of his energy focusing on going after Claudius. Once this occurs, is when he is taking these delusional ideas and then is acting upon them. This sets off a chain reaction of animosity and death that are fueling ever more levels of hate. (Barlow 45 -- 57) ("Hamlet")

The Killing of Polonius

Polonius holds the positions of Lord Chamberlin on Claudius' court. During the play he is attempting to spy and Hamlet. Then, report back to Claudius what he was up to. In one particular scene, Polonius hides behind his a curtain to overhear a conversation between Hamlet and his mother. Once Hamlet realizes that someone is behind there, is when he draws his sword and stabs this person. This is because he thinks that this is Claudius. As Hamlet, would like to quickly avenge the death of his father by quietly killing him. However, what he does not realize is that this actually Polonius.

Upon hearing of the news his death, Polonius' daughter Ophelia will commit suicide by drowning in the river. This is when Claudius will use these events to anger his son Laertes by: telling him that Hamlet is responsible. At which point, Laertes comes back from Paris and will go after him. In this aspect, Hamlet's anger and rage have made him want to kill Claudius at any cost. This has clouded his judgment to the point that innocent people are now dying. As a result, this is a clear indication that his delusions have taken control him and he is now trying to act them out. The problem is that they are making the situation worse by causing more death. This encourages Laertes to: comeback and avenge his father death. (Barlow 45 -- 57) ("Hamlet")

The Dysfunctional Behavior that Hamlet is Exhibiting at the End of the Play

As the plot continues to unfold, Hamlet is continuing to exhibit even more dysfunctional behavior at the end of the play. What is happening is that once Laertes returns, is when he will become even more unstable. Evidence of this can be seen during the funeral of Laertes' sister Ophelia. As, Hamlet will be struck with grief and will declare how he was secretly in love with her. During this scene is when Laertes's will become even more angered by Hamlet's unstable behavior. This is the point that two will agree to have sword fight for fun. However, Hamlet's actions have fueled Laertes' rage so much, that he wants to seek out his revenge at all costs. (Barlow 45 -- 57) ("Hamlet")

What happens is Laertes is part of larger plot to poison Hamlet, for what he believes is the death of his father and sister. The basic strategy is to have two engage in a fencing match. Laertes will have a sword that is laced with poison. Once he cuts Hamlet, is when he will die from these wounds. At the same time, Laertes is working with Claudius to poison his drinking glass during the match. This is designed to make certain that Hamlet will die one way or another. However, nothing worked out according to plan. As Hamlet scores this fist hit, but does not drink from the poisoned glass. Instead, his mother will drink from it and instantly die. During the dual Laertes drops the poisoned tipped sword and Hamlet picks it up killing him. While all this was taking place is when the plot is reveled. As Laertes tells him, this a part of larger plan to kill him-based him seeking revenge for his father and sister's death. The ring leader was Claudius, who helped him to devise this plan. This is when Laertes dies. Upon learning of this, Hamlet focuses his rage at Claudius. As he stabs him, with the poisoned sword and he dies. Once he realizes that Claudius is dead, is the point that Hamlet succumbs to the cuts from the poisoned sword that were inflicted earlier. (Barlow 45 -- 57) ("Hamlet")

When you step back and analyze what is happening, it is clear that Hamlet's behavior is continuing to become even more dysfunctional at the end of the play. First, his rage and delusions have forced to him to think that he is seeing Claudius everywhere he goes. This is when he will begin to make spur of the moment decisions that will have a major impact on his life. As Hamlet, will kill innocent people to seek revenge for something a ghost told him to do. This is troubling, because this kind of behavior is causing others to seek out some form of revenge based on the actions that Hamlet has taken. (Barlow 45 -- 57) ("Hamlet")

To make matters worse, Hamlet only adds fuel to the fire when he declares his love for Laertes's sister at her funeral. This enrages everyone, with him coming across as uncaring and selfish. At the same time, it is illustrating how arrogant he is by showing up to someplace and then acting as if his actions do not matter. When in reality they are important to Laertes, who lost his father and sister. As he is trying to, come to grips with their untimely deaths. When Hamlet appears at his sister's funeral and makes these statements, is the point that these actions are seen as disrespectful to Laertes. Once this is combined with the anger that he is feeling about the situation, is when Laertes will support actions to harm Hamlet. As a result, Hamlet's delusions and his dysfunctional behavior are only making the situation even worse. This is because in his own mind he thinks that his statement about Ophelia will make the situation better. When in reality, it is making things worse and leading to even more feelings of animosity. (Barlow 45 -- 57) ("Hamlet")

These actions would have an impact on the entire royal court. As Hamlet, would watch his mother die from drinking a poisoned glass that was intended for him. Then, he would kill Laertes once he began to use his sword against him. At the same time, Hamlet would slay Claudius. Once this occurred, is when Hamlet would die. This is significant, because it is showing that the end result of Hamlet's dysfunctionalism and delusions were the main contributors in the deaths of the entire royal court. The play concludes by: painting him as a hero. But the reality, the costs for him were very high. As a result, the end result of Hamlet's madness is that there were a series of negative events that spiraled out of control leading to a number of deaths. (Barlow 45 -- 57) ("Hamlet")

How should Readers Account for his Behavior throughout the Play?

The way that readers should account for his behavior, is that a series of events began to influence the way Hamlet and the different characters were reacting to a host of events. As the ghost that he saw, caused him to believe that he should do everything to try to avenge the death of his father. This is dysfunctional, in that the majority of people do not let a spiritual being influence their actions in such negative ways. Instead, they will use this to help to motivate them to accomplish a much higher purpose. For example, if Hamlet had decided that he would avenge his father's death by becoming the King one day. He could focus on areas that would help him to live up to the ideals and values that he was known for. This would have meant that the large amounts of death and destruction would not have occurred. At the same time, any kind of animosity would have been dramatically reduced. This is because Hamlet, is attempting to directly control his mind and the actions that he is taking.