Examples Of Insanity In Hamlet
Hamlet 's "Insanity"
Merriam-Webster 's Dictionary defines insanity as "a deranged state of mind, commonly exhibiting behavior considered abnormal in society," and depression "a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies."₁ Although Shakespeare 's character Hamlet shows classic signs of depression, this does not necessarily mean that he has gone insane. Many signs show that he acts insane intentionally. Despite the fact that depression can lead to insanity, it does not mean every person experiencing depression also goes through insanity as well. Sources from the …show more content…
He obviously shows his depression, expressing his contempt for his father 's successor Claudius, as well as his mother for marrying Claudius shortly after the late King Hamlet 's death. Depression also links to suicidal thoughts, of which Hamlet also suffers, as seen from his first soliloquy- "To be or not to be: that is the question" (III:i:131)₂. Despite suffering from depression, Hamlet clearly proves he has full sanity. For example, he talks to Horatio in a sane manner when he discusses his plans for revenge with him. His only acts of "insanity" occur when around nobles or figures of high authority, such as Claudius or Polonius. The acts of insanity have a deep underlying motive- to fool the entire court of Denmark into thinking he has gone mad. He does so in order to convince Claudius that he serves no threat to the king 's throne. The seemingly insane behavior also cloaks his plans for revenge and prevent him from looking suspicious to Claudius. These sources prove that Hamlet has indeed not gone insane. Therefore, his eccentricity serves as a part of his plan for
Merriam-Webster 's Dictionary defines insanity as "a deranged state of mind, commonly exhibiting behavior considered abnormal in society," and depression "a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies."₁ Although Shakespeare 's character Hamlet shows classic signs of depression, this does not necessarily mean that he has gone insane. Many signs show that he acts insane intentionally. Despite the fact that depression can lead to insanity, it does not mean every person experiencing depression also goes through insanity as well. Sources from the …show more content…
He obviously shows his depression, expressing his contempt for his father 's successor Claudius, as well as his mother for marrying Claudius shortly after the late King Hamlet 's death. Depression also links to suicidal thoughts, of which Hamlet also suffers, as seen from his first soliloquy- "To be or not to be: that is the question" (III:i:131)₂. Despite suffering from depression, Hamlet clearly proves he has full sanity. For example, he talks to Horatio in a sane manner when he discusses his plans for revenge with him. His only acts of "insanity" occur when around nobles or figures of high authority, such as Claudius or Polonius. The acts of insanity have a deep underlying motive- to fool the entire court of Denmark into thinking he has gone mad. He does so in order to convince Claudius that he serves no threat to the king 's throne. The seemingly insane behavior also cloaks his plans for revenge and prevent him from looking suspicious to Claudius. These sources prove that Hamlet has indeed not gone insane. Therefore, his eccentricity serves as a part of his plan for