Why Hamlet Went Crazy

Words: 710
Pages: 3

Why Hamlet Went Crazy

In the story Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, Hamlet’s actions and state of mind reveal his true character because they show how the things he is dealing with affect him. Throughout the novel, Hamlet battles many obstacles from which his true character emerges; his father’s death, his love for Ophelia, and revenge for his uncle all affect his mental state and how his actions respond to such situations. The death of Old Hamlet aroused feelings of darkness and sorrow in the beginning of the novel for Hamlet. Hamlet’s father was a huge influence on Hamlet, and who he strived to be. “His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter! O God, O God, How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable Seem to me all the uses of this world!” (1.1. 134-136). In this soliloquy, Hamlet is contemplating suicide for the first time, showing how much Old Hamlet’s death affected him and his emotions. Hamlet was baffled
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“Revenge is foul and most unnatural murder.” “Haste me to know ‘t, that I, with wings as swift as meditation or the thoughts of love, may sweep to my revenge.” (1.5. 31-37). In this conversation between Hamlet and the ghost of his father, his father reveals the true way he died. He asked Hamlet to seek revenge on his uncle who is now the new king, and Hamlet is more than eager to do so. It is at this time in the story where Hamlet starts going downhill mentally. “The spirit that I have seen may be the devil: and the devil hath power - I’ll catch the conscience of the kind.” (2.2. 627-634). Here, Hamlet is calling into question the conversation he had with the ghost and whether it was in fact his father, or if it was the devil trying to lead him away. After believing the ghost this whole time, now Hamlet wants to be sure what is being said is true, and wants to catch Claudius in the feelings of guilt during the play they will later