How Does Hamlet React To Insanity

Hamlet Essay Throughout Shakespeare's play Hamlet, Hamlet is shown performing a balancing act between a mind of insanity and a mind of sanity. By the end of the play readers are left wondering whether Hamlet had lost the bit of sanity he had earlier in the play, but although Hamlet continues to play the role of a man gone insane out of vengeance his purpose for his insanity remains the only thing keeping what’s left of his mind intact. During many interactions with other characters Hamlet is shown playing the part, often talking sporadically with differing mood swings. But once he is alone and begins a Soliloquy, Hamlet shows that no matter what he still keeps his mind sane with the insanity of his life surrounding him. Along with this Hamlet has made many references that he is acting insane in order to confuse his enemies and keep suspicious eyes away. Although the situation he fell into was dire Hamlet still continued the acts, refraining …show more content…
Early in the play Hamlet is already shown questioning suicide “O, that this too too sullied flesh would melt,Or that the Everlasting has not fix’d his canon ‘gainst self-slaughter!” (1.1) Hamlet’s own thoughts of suicide show how close he already is to insanity so early in the play. Yet, even though Hamlet is shown wanting to destroy his life he does not allow it since self-slaughter is considered a sin. Hamlet’s use of his own religion helps to show how he is still holding onto something to keep him from falling off the edge. One must stay grounded in order to stay on his feet and Hamlet is doing just that through his heavy belief in religion. Along with this, Hamlet also discussed his own hatred towards his mother’s marriage to his uncle so quickly after his father’s death. His own hatred with how quickly his mother moved on shows how attached Hamlet really is to keeping order along with ceasing to change a