How Is Hamlet Crazy

Everyone has a different sense of normalcy and sanity. Due to this, gauging a person’s character is a shot in the dark. In Shakespeare’s tragic play Hamlet, Hamlet’s true character is defined by his relationships, actions, and state of mind. After his father’s death, Hamlet’s relationship with the living seem to deteriorate, especially with the women in his life. During his break up with Ophelia, he claims that he “‘did love [her] once’” but quickly denies that further into the conversation (3.1.22). Relationships need to be nurtured and cared for in order to succeed. Despite the fact that Polonius has asked his obedient daughter to refuse Hamlet’s love, Hamlet has been directing all his time and energy to revenge, leaving nothing for Ophelia. Hamlet’s relationship with his mother is rocky even at the beginning of the play. Hamlet is disgusted by the fact that Claudius is now “‘A little more than kin and less than kind” (1.1.66). He loathes the pair of them together and the incest they are involved in.
Hamlet’s intense contempt towards his parents shows just how vengeful his thoughts are, and how cruel his actions could be. Hamlet has a major internal struggle between his actions and inactions all throughout the play.
Each of his soliloquies exhibits a new philosophy he is having issues with, the most famous of these being, “‘To be or not to be-that is the question’” (3.1.62). In this particular soliloquy, Hamlet is contemplating whether living a miserable life is better than moving on towards an unknown afterlife. At this time he has lost his sense of purpose, which is to kill Claudius, and with no purpose there is no reason for him to live. Hamlet reminds himself of Fortinbras and wonders, “‘What would he do had he the motive and the cue for passion that I have’” (2.2.574-576). Fortinbras is a perfect foil for Hamlet. Hamlet realizes that Fortinbras would have already killed his uncle and assumed the throne if he were in Hamlet’s, which makes Hamlet feel cowardly. The hatred he feels towards himself fuels causes him to act impulsively, another trait of his that no one
expected. It is difficult to determine if Hamlet is feigning madness, as he says, or becomes truly mad. One of the first instances that suggests Hamlet could be truly mad is during his breakup scene with Ophelia, especially after he asks her where her father is, as he can sense he is being watched (3.1.137). Hamlet becomes very paranoid and his negative actions towards Ophelia intensify as he drags her around the room. Hamlet’s patience is wearing thin, not only with those around him but with himself. Hamlet again is a slave to paranoia when he screams, “‘How now, a rat? Dead for a ducat, dead’”, and kills Polonius (3.4.27). Hamlet is very educated and a deep thinker, which is evident through his many philosophical soliloquies, but the idea of murder has sent his mind into chaos. These are not the actions of a prince of Denmark, Hamlet is unstable. Although Hamlet has had the best upbringing, status, and education, he lacks important skills that could have helped him through this troubling time in his life. He cannot manage relationships, be precise in his actions, or act sensibly in a heated situation. These three things ultimately led to his death, right before which he realized his mistakes and returned to sanity. Shakespeare used his complex character Hamlet to display the roles that importance of relationships, actions, and sanity play during a time of mourning or crisis.