The Theme Of Insanity In Shakespeare's Hamlet

The Oxford Dictionary defines insane as,” Not of sound mind; extremely foolish; psychotic, neurotic; demented, out of one’s mind.” Insanity is typically thought as someone who is acting different from society whether it is in words, thoughts, or actions. Hamlet, a play by William Shakespeare, shows how craziness can affect one’s mind and other people’s minds. Hamlet, the main character, is shown as being psychotic on multiple occasions throughout the play which leads to the formation of other people’s opinion about Hamlet. William Shakespeare’s Hamlet shows how Hamlet’s actions, thoughts, and the thoughts, actions, and words of other characters reveal why Hamlet is a truly demented person. Hamlet’s actions in the play show he is a person not of a sound mind. The death of Hamlet’s father is the core
When alone, Hamlet gives a soliloquy and asks himself if he wants to continue through with his life that involves heart-aches and pain. While considering his life Hamlet says,” To be, or not to be, that is the question:/Whether ‘tis nobler in the suffer/The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” (3.1.53). Hamlet’s demented thoughts about whether to end or to continue with his life show how he is crazy since wanting to die is not a thought one of a sound mind would think. After watching a player cry during a performance, Hamlet gets upset because he lacks the emotionally ability to cry while the player can cry without the need of genuine emotions. Once everyone leaves after watching the player’s performance Hamlet says to himself,” O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!...Tears in his eyes, distraction in’s aspect,…With forms to his conceit? And all for nothing” (2.2.49). Hamlet’s thoughts show he can’t show emotion even in times of sorrow which one of a sound mind would not have trouble expressing emotions. Hamlet’s thoughts on life and emotions clarify why Hamlet is a demented and neurotic