Why Is Hamlet Crazy

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What makes a person crazy? In the famous play Hamlet, the main character Hamlet faces many problems, and it is widely debated whether he is crazy or not. Hamlet can be considered insane because he suffers from severe hallucinations, meets the definition of clinically depressed, and feels no remorse for his actions. Firstly, Hamlet is considered insane because he has frequent, severe hallucinations. For example, Hamlet hallucinates a ‘ghost’ of his father, while no one else can see it after act 1; while Hamlet is talking to the ‘ghost’ in his mother’s room, she does not see it. Gertrude asks, “To whom do you speak this?” Hamlet says, ”Do you see nothing there?” Gertrude says, “Nothing at all, yet all that is I see.” Hamlet says, “Nor did you …show more content…
One of the reasons Hamlet is so depressed is because he is conflicted about what to do and sees suicide as a way out. Young says in an article, “Hamlet contemplates suicide to escape the sonly duty to exact revenge on Claudius, when he knows his actions will destroy his mother, his family, and himself.” (Young 15). As Hall states in this quote, Hamlet is seriously considering suicide because he is severely conflicted about what he should do. Since he isn’t sure what he needs to do, he seeks a way out in the form of suicide because he has no one to counsel him. Depression in considered a mental illness, and, therefore, he is mentally ill. Although there is no widely accepted as a definition of insanity, there are several respected ones. Ullman and Krasner define insanity as “abnormal behavior or thinking which shows lack of ability to understand the laws of society, or to appreciate the wrongfulness of one’s actions.” (Krasner 12). It is clear that Hamlet exhibits abnormal behavior in the form of hallucinations and irrational behavior. He also has no remorse for many of his actions, including killing Polonius. Hamlet fits both the definition of insane and depressed, making it obvious he is not mentally

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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…

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Hamlet's Insanity

the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare Hamlet’s crazy personality grows crazier as the play goes on. Though it is unclear if Hamlet is actually insane there are many suggestions such as “when Hamlet came in with no hat on his head, his shirt unbuttoned and hid his stocking dirty, undone” (II.i.188-189). Judging Hamlet by his action the audience can assume he is insane or at least somewhat crazy. In addition while discussing with the king Polonius argues “If now we agree Hamlet is crazy” (II.ii.102)…

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In the play Hamlet, the sanity of the character Hamlet seems questionable.It started with the death of his father and the quick marriage of Hamlet’s mother to his uncle. These events push Hamlet towards murder himself. One might see how this could drive him insane. In several scenes it appears that Hamlet has gone crazy. But it is also shown that Hamlet might just be acting crazy as a way to seek revenge for his father's murder. Hamlet first seems to go crazy when he finds out about his father’s…

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Boo! There are many characters that actually appear frequently in the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare. However, the character of the ghost, which has the appearance of Hamlet’s father, appears only a few times, but its existence cannot be ignored since it takes a huge part in the subsequent progression of the plot. It commands Hamlet to get revenge on Claudius by telling Hamlet the truth behind his father’s death. The existence of the ghost provides the cause of Hamlet’s action, which is basically…

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Essay on Sociology and Hamlet

are many reasons why Ophelia is a foil for Hamlet. If Ophelia was not in the play Hamlet would not have a love and there really wouldn't be a love story in the play. They are both basically the same social class and the same age. Eventhough [sic] Hamlet is a prince, Ophelia is close to him in social class because she is the daughter of Polonius, councilor to the king. They are both in the upper class. They both love each other. On the other hand, some of the differences are Hamlet is male and Ophelia…

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Hamlet is one of many Shakespeare’s classic plays. The typical tragic hero and the character’s problems and how they must solve them. What makes Hamlet different from all of Shakespeare’s other works is that not only is he a tragic hero; but the audience can’t pinpoint if Hamlet is the good or bad guy. Hamlet’s character is unclear to the reader because of his actions conflicting with his personality and because of this dissonance Hamlet, as a play, is what makes it different from any other play…

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Why Does Laertes Get Revenge In Hamlet Essay

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Madness And Insane In Shakespeare's Hamlet

In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlet creates a plan to avenge his father’s death. His father was killed by his uncle Claudius and Hamlet was enraged. As he creates this plan to get revenge, he acts as any child who lost someone: depressed. Though, he had a reasonable reaction to this action, he also acted mad. Hamlet’s plan to get revenge consists of acting as though he is mad to give him an advantage over Claudius and to give an explanation for his longing depression and distance. Throughout the play…

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Hamlet Essay Ophelia’s role in William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Hamlet is quite confusing. Throughout the play, Ophelia is portrayed as gentle, loyal and obedient, but hides in the background like a supporting actress. She is intended to be Hamlet’s love interest, yet he doesn’t include her in any of his life-changing plans. Ophelia has no major qualities, yet her life and death have an incredible influence on most characters, especially Hamlet. Throughout the entirety of the play, Ophelia…

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Hamlet: Characters in Hamlet and Ghost Essay

Vengeance in Hamlet Throughout history, the idea of vengeance has destroyed large communities, populations and entire civilizations. The problem with man and revenge is that one may be side tracked of why or whom he is avenging. This similar idea is conveyed in the theme of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Vengeance can confuse a man's mind and soul to the point where he may not be sure of whom he is really avenging. Shakespeare uses foils in this play to allow us readers to understand Hamlet as a man…

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