Sanity, or Insanity, That is the Question
Sanity, or Insanity, That is the Question
Insanity is a disorder inflicted upon those who suffer from extraordinary physical, mental or emotional anguishes and trials. Insanity is often times caused by exposure to sources of horror, madness or alien natures, that which the mind simply cannot withstand. One of the most debated subjects in Hamlet by William Shakespeare is the interpretation of Hamlet’s character, in particular, his sanity. Hamlet goes through a struggle with himself following his father’s death, after his mother remarries to his uncle and the appearance of his father, King Hamlet’s ghost, asking for vengeance. These hardships could have had the potential to drive him to the point of insanity, Hamlet displays too much intelligence and rational thinking throughout the play which keeps him grounded enough to keep his sanity in tact.
In Act I, we are introduced to King Hamlet’s ghost. Bernardo, Marcellus and
Horatio all see the ghost, Horatio states, “Before my God, I might not this believe Without the sensible and true avouch Of mine own eyes,” (I.i.59-61). All three of these men encounter the ghost who demands for Hamlet to speak to it alone. Horatio, initially does not believe that
Bernardo and Marcellus have spotted a ghost. He thinks they are just seeing things. However, when he does see the ghost with his own eyes, he cannot believe it. This gives credibility to the ghost’s existence. Bernardo, Marcellus and Horatio all see the ghost even before notifying
Hamlet of it’s existence. If Hamlet was the only one who saw the ghost, then we may assume he
is mad, however Marcellus, Bernardo and Horatio, a group of sane men, are also witness seeing the ghost. Thus proving the ghost is real and Hamlet is not psychotic.
Through Hamlet’s ‘antic disposition,’ Hamlet seems to care for Ophelia very much. He barges into Ophelia’s room and grabs her wrists, without a word, he sighs and leaves. This is a diversion to keep suspicion away
Insanity is a disorder inflicted upon those who suffer from extraordinary physical, mental or emotional anguishes and trials. Insanity is often times caused by exposure to sources of horror, madness or alien natures, that which the mind simply cannot withstand. One of the most debated subjects in Hamlet by William Shakespeare is the interpretation of Hamlet’s character, in particular, his sanity. Hamlet goes through a struggle with himself following his father’s death, after his mother remarries to his uncle and the appearance of his father, King Hamlet’s ghost, asking for vengeance. These hardships could have had the potential to drive him to the point of insanity, Hamlet displays too much intelligence and rational thinking throughout the play which keeps him grounded enough to keep his sanity in tact.
In Act I, we are introduced to King Hamlet’s ghost. Bernardo, Marcellus and
Horatio all see the ghost, Horatio states, “Before my God, I might not this believe Without the sensible and true avouch Of mine own eyes,” (I.i.59-61). All three of these men encounter the ghost who demands for Hamlet to speak to it alone. Horatio, initially does not believe that
Bernardo and Marcellus have spotted a ghost. He thinks they are just seeing things. However, when he does see the ghost with his own eyes, he cannot believe it. This gives credibility to the ghost’s existence. Bernardo, Marcellus and Horatio all see the ghost even before notifying
Hamlet of it’s existence. If Hamlet was the only one who saw the ghost, then we may assume he
is mad, however Marcellus, Bernardo and Horatio, a group of sane men, are also witness seeing the ghost. Thus proving the ghost is real and Hamlet is not psychotic.
Through Hamlet’s ‘antic disposition,’ Hamlet seems to care for Ophelia very much. He barges into Ophelia’s room and grabs her wrists, without a word, he sighs and leaves. This is a diversion to keep suspicion away