Mental Illness In The Elizabethan Era

Mental illness is currently a crucial component in our society, that enables us to understand the behavior of an individual. Where one's actions can be associated with the mental stability that he or she possesses. In conjunction, the Elizabethan era didn't acknowledge mental illness and its effects commonly incorporating Witchcraft and other Supernatural occurances to explain what is currently recognized as mental illness.

Bipolar disorder or manic depression is a mood disorder that causes mood swings that enter a high phase and a low phase. The high phase is known as “manic” where the individual speaks at a very fast pace, with energetic movements. Their energy contribute ever so greatly to their thoughts and self-esteem affecting it positively. While the depression stage substantially decreases the individual self worth. Manifesting in the form of worthlessness and insignificant leading towards or withdraw from society becoming anti-social.

Symptoms: trouble concentrating, lethargic behavior, self doubt, self blame and suicidal thoughts.

Hamlet's mood Cycles from depression to manic frequently occurs, supporting his diagnosis of bipolar disorder or manic depression.

Example 1
Act 1 scene 2

“Cast thy knighted colour off” ends with “these but the trapping and suits of woe”
Hamlet speaking to Gertrude saying that his clothes are least of his worries, where his clothes are not capable of displaying his depression.
Commonly someone who is depressed neglect their appearance, where proper clothing and hygiene are burden within their strength. Not to mention his use of “forc’d death", suggesting that his will and desire to live is little to none. Yet again one of the symptoms of bipolar disorder; suicidal thoughts contemplating the choice of death over an insufficient life. However he finds the idea of suicide challenging withstanding the church's influence of suffering in the afterlife. Moreover indecisive another characteristic of a depressed
individual.

Example 2

Act 1 scene 4
Hamlet's continuous depression can be uplifted almost instantaneously where his self-reliance cycle progresses from a larger majority of depression to his manic state. It can be seen in act 1 scene 4 when Hamlet sees the ghost of his father and reacts manically, persistently wanting to follow the ghost. The Elizabethan era perceived all ghost as demonic with the ability to condemn ones Soul. However, when Horatio tries to persuade him to not follow the ghost, using death or pain as a consequence. Hamlet becomes depressed, where a lack of self-esteem and antisocial Behavior begins to intrude. All of which carry over to conflict his judgment making a poor decision based on Elizabethan standards.

Example 3

Act 3 scene 4
The conversation between Hamlet and his mother about his mother's lack of respect for his dead father, contributes to his reaction with bipolar disorder. Hamlet demonstrates both poor judgement and self justification towards his own actions throughout this incident. When Hamlet hears someone behind the curtain, he reacts spontaneously stabbing the curtain without knowing he killed Polonius the undesired target. He proceeds to justify his ruthless killing saying “take thy fortune. Thou find’st to be too busy in some danger.” In a manic state, the individual tends to justify their action to subside and disturbance or destruction they've done.

All of these examples display Hamlet's bipolar disorder, a mental illness that is classified today unlike the Elizabethan era. Where the perception of an individual's actions cannot be explained in Hamlet Sarah, but it can be in today's society. While, the actions are the same but the way they are perceived and understood is the distinction between both time frame.