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Is Hamlet Mad? Is Hamlet mad or sane, and if he is mad, was Polonius accurate in saying that there was a method to his madness In Hamlet, there is two characters who fit a mad description, one truly mad, and one only acting mad to serve a plot. Ophelia and Hamlet, with argument to the other s madness or sanity, Hamlet s character offers more evidence, while Ophelia s breakdown is quick, but more precise in its madness. If Hamlet were to see his father s ghost in private, the argument for his madness would greatly improve.
The fact that three men together, witness the ghost before even thinking of notifying Hamlet. Which makes the claim about Hamlet being mad, seem weak. However Horatio pleads a warning to Hamlet, saying What if it tempts you toward the flood, my lord, or to the dreadful summit of the cliff that beetles o er 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. Later, when Hamlet tells his mother that he saw the ghost in his mothers room, her amazement at his madness is quite convincing. Another instance of Hamlet s behavior, manipulation in his meeting with Ophelia, where his uncle and Polonius are hiding behind a curtain. (Earlier in the play it is made quite clear, Hamlets feeling towards Ophelia. ) When his complete rejection of her was clearly a hoax. Hamlet s actions in the play after meeting the ghost lead everyone except Horatio to believe he is crazy. Hamlet questions his conduct in his speech at he end of Act 2, but after a long time of thinking he decides to go with his instinct and prove to himself without a doubt, the king s guilt before proceeding rashly. As Hamlet told Guildenstern in Act 2, I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.
This statement reveals Hamlet s intent to fool people with his odd behavior. This is after Polonius comment earlier in the same scene. Though this be madness, yet there is method in t. Ophelia with her unquestionable insanity, puts Hamlet s very questionable madness in a more of a spotlight, while all Ophelia can do after learning of her father s death is to sing.
And she doesn t sing a mourning song, but rather a happy love song. Later when she meets Leartes, she says to him: There s rosemary, that s for remembrance; pray you love, remember. And there is pansies, that s for thoughts. In response to Ophelia, Leartes says, A document in madness, thoughts and remembrance fitted.
Hamlet has a motive behind leading others to believe he are insane. Although he is under severe pressure and emotional strain due to his situation in the play, he shows a great amount of intelligent, conscious, and rational decision-making in efforts to resolve their situations. Hamlet has a motive behind leading others to believe he are insane. Although he is under severe pressure and emotional strain due to his situation in the play, he shows a great amount of intelligent, conscious, and rational decision-making in efforts to resolve their situations.
Thus, the argument that Hamlet is truly mad conflicts with his ability to act rationally and defuses Ophelia as example of true insanity.
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