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Hamlet: Method in the Madness In Hamlet, Shakespeare incorporates a theme of madness with two characters: one truly mad, anyone only acting mad to serve a motive. The madness of Hamlet is frequently disputed. This paper argues that the contrapuntal character in the play, namely Ophelia, acts as a balancing argument to Hamletsmadness or sanity. Ophelias breakdown and Hamlets north-north-west brand of insanity argue for Hamlet having a method to his seeming insanity. The play offers a character on each side of sanity. While Shakespeare does not directly put Ophelias insanity (or breakdown) against Hamletsmadness, there is instead a clear definitiveness in Ophelias condition and a clear uncertainty in Hamletsmadness.
Obviously, Hamlets character offers more evidence, while Ophelias breakdown is quick, but more conclusive in its precision. Shakespeare offers clear evidence pointing to Hamlets sanity beginning with the first scene of the play. Hamlet begins with guards whose main importance in the play is to give credibility to the ghost. If Hamlet were to see his fathers ghost in private, the argument for his madness would greatly improve. Yet, not one, but three men together witness the ghost before even thinking to notify Hamlet. As Hamlet says O, that this too too sullied flesh would melt we can see that he is depressed and appalled but it does not mean he is insane.
As Horatio says, being the only of the guards today a significant role in the rest of the play, Before my God, I might not this believe / Without the sensible and true avouch / Of mine own eyes. Horatio, who appears frequently throughout the play, actual an unquestionably sane alibi to Hamlet again when framing the King with his reaction to the play. That Hamlet speaks to the ghost alone detracts somewhat from its credibility, but all the men are witness the ghost demanding they speak alone. Horatio offers an insightful warning: What if it tempts you toward the flood, my lord, Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff That beetles oer his base into the sea, And there assume some other horrible form. Which might deprive your sovereignty of reason, And draw you into madness?
Think of it. Horatio's comment may be where Hamlet gets the idea to use a plea of insanity to work out his plan. The important fact is that the ghost does not change form, but rather remains as the King and speaks to Hamlet rationally. There is also good reason for the ghost not to want the guards to know what tells Hamlet, as the play could not proceed as it does if the guards were to hear what Hamlet did. It issue ghost of Hamlets father who tells him, but how soever thou pursues this act, / Taint not thy mind.
Later, when Hamlet sees the ghost again in his mothers room, her amazement at his madness is quite convincing. Yet one must take into consideration the careful planning of the ghosts credibility earlier inthe play. After his first meeting with the ghost, Hamlet greets his friends cheerfully and acts as if the news good rather than the devastation it really is. Horatio: What news, my lord? Hamlet: O, wonderful! Horatio: Good my lord, tell it.
Hamlet: No, you will reveal it. This is the first glimpse of Hamlets ability and inclination to manipulate his behavior to achieve effect. Clearly Hamlet is not feeling cheerful at this moment, but if he lets the guards know the severity o the news, they might suspect its nature. Another instance of Hamlets behavior manipulation is his meeting with Ophelia while his uncle and Polonius are hiding behind a curtain. Hamlets affection for Ophelia has already been established, and his complete rejection of her and what has transpired between them is clearly a hoax.
Hamlet somehow suspects the eavesdroppers, just as he guesses that Guildensternand Rosencrantz are sent by the King and Queen to question him and investigate the cause of his supposed madness in. Hamlets actions in the play after meeting the ghost lead everyone except Horatio to believe he is crazy, yet that madness is continuously checked by an ever-present consciousness of action which never lets him lose control. For example, Hamlet questions his conduct in his soliloquy, but after careful consideration decides to go with his instinct and prove to himself without a doubt the Kings guilt before proceeding rashly. Even after the Kings guilt is proven with Horatio as witness, Hamlet again reflects abuses his better judgment in the soliloquy before seeing his mother. He recognizes his passionate feelings, but tells himself to speak daggers to her, but use none, as his fathers ghost instructed. Again, when inthe Kings chamber, Hamlet could perform the murder, but decides not to in his better judgment to ensure that the King doesnt go to heaven by dying while praying.
As Hamlet tells Guildenstern, I am but maynooth-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw. This statement reveals out-right Hamlets intent to fool people with his odd behavior. This is after Polonius enlightened comment earlier in the same scene, though this be madness, yet there is method int. Compare the copious evidence against Hamlets madness with the complete lack of evidence for Ophelias sanity after her fathers murder.
Her unquestionable insanity puts Hamlets very questionable madness in a more favorable light. She is quite obviously mad, and unlike Hamlet there seems to be no method to her madness. All Ophelia can do after learning of her fathers death is sing. Indeed, Hamlets utter rejection of her combined with this is too much for her, and she doesnt sing a mourning song at the beginning of, but rather a happy love song.
Ophelias breakdown into madness and inability to deal with her fathers death and Hamlets rejection is dealt with neatly and punctually. There is little evidence against her madness, compared to Hamlets intelligent plotting and use of witnesses to his actions. Thus, by defining true madness in Ophelia, Shakespeare subtracts from the plausibility of Hamlets supposed insanity. In the play, Shakespeare uses the dimmer light of reality to expose the brighter light of contrivance. Hamlet is dynamic, animated, and absurd in his madness, making Ophelias true madness seem realistic rather than absurd. Hamlet explicitly states the contrivance of his madness, while Ophelia does not.
To prove more of hamlets sanity he questions his actions. To be or not to be proves thatHemlet still thinks before he performs his actions. Further, Hamlet has a motive behind leading others to believe that he is insane. Although Hamlet is under severe pressure and emotional strain due to hi situation in the play, he shows a remarkable amount of intelligent, conscious, and rational decision-making in efforts to resolve his situation. Thus we can see that Hamlet is not insane but has a method and can make intelligent decisions.
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