Insanity In Hamlet Research Paper

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Throughout Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet is faced with the big responsibility of attaining retaliation for his father’s murder. He decides to do something a bit out of the ordinary. He fakes being insane as a part of his plan to get in the perfect situation to kill Claudius. Later on, It becomes more believable that Hamlet is a madman and all of the characters around him can see it clearly. However, through all of the thoughts and the “reasons” for his actions, it is pretty clear that he is not mad, he is simulating insanity in order to bring justice to his father.
 Hamlet declares madness because it enables him to say things and perform actions that are unusual, while keeping people from taking his it all too seriously. It all seems to be part…show more content…
Although his acts do backfire during his speech to Gertrude, Hamlet severely criticizes her for her because she thinks he is a madman. During the play Hamlet also makes sexual references and remarks towards Ophelia such as “That’s a fair thought to lie between maids’ legs (3.2.125).” His convincing act of insanity gives him the chance to express his anger towards Ophelia for her abandonment. In another scene, he tells Polonius his real feelings through his image. Upon Polonius deciding to “take leave” of Hamlet, he replies, “You cannot, take from me anything that I will more willingly part withal (2.2.233).” In addition, Hamlet uses his insanity pretty much as an excuse, and his apology to Laertes for murdering Polonious. Would a person suffering from insanity be able realize he was insane and call his actions not controllable?Hamlet’s madness directs attention away from his father’s death, but to why he has gone insane. This allows only him to know what he is thinking, it doesn't require him to answer questions as to why he is acting strange, and it allows him to continue planning his attack on…show more content…
Not one of his statements, although filled with hidden meanings, is a normal remark that wouldn't be considered insane. When he talks to Guildenstern and Rosencrantz, not only is Hamlet smart enough to realize their true reason for visiting, he tells them he isn't actually mad in a way that they would be convinced he is actually insane. “I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw. (2.2.401).“ Hamlet is able to mess with his two friends through his phony madness, and free from either of them questioning it. Later on, he is able to have them killed instead of him using his father’s seal, through a method even devious for a sane man. Hamlet, in the same conversation with Polonius mentioned earlier, is so sly in his responses made to convey an insane front that Polonius remarks on their creativity. “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t (2.2.223).” Hamlet’s role-playing of a madman combined to be too witty of a madman, for him to sincerely be insane.
 Many people would mention the murder of Polonius and say that Hamlet’s action was caused by insanity. According to this, unlike his other doings he was hasty and thoughtless, but that isn't

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