Madness In Hamlet Essay
Madness is a major theme throughout William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, however it is still widely debated whether Hamlet’s madness was a facade or if over the course of the play it became genuine. Despite the play primarily following Hamlet’s quest for revenge, a great deal of his characterization comes from the opinions of other characters, such as Polonius, Claudius, Gertrude, (and so forth). This use of soliloquies leads the audience to question if Hamlet’s grief over the murder of his father is simply being misconstrued as madness due to the expectations the society is placing on him as a prince. Early in the play, the readers become aware that the father of Hamlet, prince of Denmark, has recently died. The throne instead is held by
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His rage his made his actions more unusual as he attempts to hide what truly festers in his heart. It is in this act that Hamlet’s most renowned soliloquy is uttered. Only when Hamlet believes he is alone does he admit the struggles he is going through. He ponders whether it is better to be alive, despite the many struggles that must be overcome, or to die and finally be freed. Hamlet come across as remarkably vulnerable is this scene, admitting that life is primarily suffering, and yet again showing his pain and grief for the audience to see. Yet, Hamlet only shows this vulnerability in soliloquies, when no one can hear his distress. When he sees Ophelia coming he immediately stops his train of thought to maintain appearances. Yet again, Hamlet feels restricted by the expectations society has placed on a man of such high station. Hamlet is a deeply sensitive and compassionate character in a society that is critical towards men who have such strong emotions. When the royal family sees him in a such a state, it is no surprise that they would equate his grief with madness. Just as the common people adore and sympathize with Hamlet, in a way that their class allows, Hamlet’s family can not comprehend Hamlet’s powerful emotions. Ultimately, Hamlet’s high social standing and sensitive tendencies doom him to be seen as mad by his own
His rage his made his actions more unusual as he attempts to hide what truly festers in his heart. It is in this act that Hamlet’s most renowned soliloquy is uttered. Only when Hamlet believes he is alone does he admit the struggles he is going through. He ponders whether it is better to be alive, despite the many struggles that must be overcome, or to die and finally be freed. Hamlet come across as remarkably vulnerable is this scene, admitting that life is primarily suffering, and yet again showing his pain and grief for the audience to see. Yet, Hamlet only shows this vulnerability in soliloquies, when no one can hear his distress. When he sees Ophelia coming he immediately stops his train of thought to maintain appearances. Yet again, Hamlet feels restricted by the expectations society has placed on a man of such high station. Hamlet is a deeply sensitive and compassionate character in a society that is critical towards men who have such strong emotions. When the royal family sees him in a such a state, it is no surprise that they would equate his grief with madness. Just as the common people adore and sympathize with Hamlet, in a way that their class allows, Hamlet’s family can not comprehend Hamlet’s powerful emotions. Ultimately, Hamlet’s high social standing and sensitive tendencies doom him to be seen as mad by his own