Jolee Murphy
AP Literature
Final Research Paper
6-7-18
A Method behind his Madness
A. C Bradley says that Hamlets popularity “was not [because] Hamlet is Shakespeare's greatest tragedy or most perfect work of art: it was that Hamlet most brings home to use at once the sense of the soul's infinity, and the sense of the doom which not only circumscribes that infinity but appears to be its offspring” ( Bloom on Hamlet). In the play our protagonist, young Prince Hamlet, plots and manipulates to confirm and avenge his Father, King Hamlet. Shakespeare is often praised for the realistic characterizations of Hamlet and his perceived madness. Over the course of the play Hamlet employs many methods to investigate and push of suspicion away from him: …show more content…
A prime example of Hamlet’s dissenting morals and his distrust of others is his treatment of Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and Ophelia. As soon as Hamlet plans to investigate his father’s murder he becomes wary of Claudius and his court who he fears will discover him. At first we see Hamlet distance himself from these people with mockery and sharp banter. Calling Polonius an old man or saying Ophelia should go to the nunnery is the beginning of this behavior. This of course escalates to the spontaneous murder of Polonius and the brutal planned murders of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet has a lot of built up tension with Polonius -- so it was expected for their to be conflict-- as he is the main spy reporting to Claudius but, when Hamlet kills him, it was a case of mistaken identity Hamlet thought that he was Claudius listening in on his mother and him. But, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s murder is almost more brutal as Hamlet forged a letter declaring the pair as traitors so they will be killed on their travels. Polonius is actually the first one who suspects and theorizes about Hamlet’s madness and everyone believes him--except
AP Literature
Final Research Paper
6-7-18
A Method behind his Madness
A. C Bradley says that Hamlets popularity “was not [because] Hamlet is Shakespeare's greatest tragedy or most perfect work of art: it was that Hamlet most brings home to use at once the sense of the soul's infinity, and the sense of the doom which not only circumscribes that infinity but appears to be its offspring” ( Bloom on Hamlet). In the play our protagonist, young Prince Hamlet, plots and manipulates to confirm and avenge his Father, King Hamlet. Shakespeare is often praised for the realistic characterizations of Hamlet and his perceived madness. Over the course of the play Hamlet employs many methods to investigate and push of suspicion away from him: …show more content…
A prime example of Hamlet’s dissenting morals and his distrust of others is his treatment of Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and Ophelia. As soon as Hamlet plans to investigate his father’s murder he becomes wary of Claudius and his court who he fears will discover him. At first we see Hamlet distance himself from these people with mockery and sharp banter. Calling Polonius an old man or saying Ophelia should go to the nunnery is the beginning of this behavior. This of course escalates to the spontaneous murder of Polonius and the brutal planned murders of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet has a lot of built up tension with Polonius -- so it was expected for their to be conflict-- as he is the main spy reporting to Claudius but, when Hamlet kills him, it was a case of mistaken identity Hamlet thought that he was Claudius listening in on his mother and him. But, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s murder is almost more brutal as Hamlet forged a letter declaring the pair as traitors so they will be killed on their travels. Polonius is actually the first one who suspects and theorizes about Hamlet’s madness and everyone believes him--except