In literature, the mental afflictions of certain characters play a definitive role in the work. Hamlet, from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, portrays himself as a madman. However eccentric his actions are, they have a strong purpose in his plan for revenge. In addition, Hamlet’s behaviour is significant to the work as a whole, supporting the theme of manipulation. Overall, Hamlet’s bizarre behaviour has an important role in both advancing the plot and developing themes.
Though Hamlet’s actions seem erratic and capricious, they can be judged reasonable in the context of his situation. One potential explanation is that Hamlet is attempting to buy enough time to construct a viable plan. After he chooses “to put on an antic disposition” (Shakespeare …show more content…
Hamlet embodies this theme; he manipulates what others believe to be true. However, he ensures his own downfall and he secures the death of others. For example, “the fair Ophelia” (Shakespeare III, i, 90) is an innocent victim of Hamlet’s manipulative nature. She believes Hamlet to be in love with her, yet he continually disturbs her with his appearance and makes cruel comments towards her. Though this all fits into Hamlet’s ploy to manipulate others into believing him to be mad, it is still incredibly draining on Ophelia. Emotionally, she can not handle Hamlet’s cruel actions in combination with her father’s death and so she suffers a tragic end - suicide. Ophelia, however, is not the only victim of Hamlet’s manipulation. The deaths of Polonius, Laertes, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and even Hamlet himself can be traced back to Hamlet’s “antic disposition” (Shakespeare I, v, 173). Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are only involved because the King wishes to find the cause of Hamlet’s madness and their deaths are a result of Hamlet rewriting the letter asking for his own death. Furthermore, Polonius is only spying on Hamlet to, again, determine the cause of Hamlet’s madness. Then Laertes, upset over Hamlet’s responsibility for the deaths of both his sister and his father, agrees to duel Hamlet. Unsurprisingly, both face fatal consequences. Hamlet makes the choice to manipulate those around him
Though Hamlet’s actions seem erratic and capricious, they can be judged reasonable in the context of his situation. One potential explanation is that Hamlet is attempting to buy enough time to construct a viable plan. After he chooses “to put on an antic disposition” (Shakespeare …show more content…
Hamlet embodies this theme; he manipulates what others believe to be true. However, he ensures his own downfall and he secures the death of others. For example, “the fair Ophelia” (Shakespeare III, i, 90) is an innocent victim of Hamlet’s manipulative nature. She believes Hamlet to be in love with her, yet he continually disturbs her with his appearance and makes cruel comments towards her. Though this all fits into Hamlet’s ploy to manipulate others into believing him to be mad, it is still incredibly draining on Ophelia. Emotionally, she can not handle Hamlet’s cruel actions in combination with her father’s death and so she suffers a tragic end - suicide. Ophelia, however, is not the only victim of Hamlet’s manipulation. The deaths of Polonius, Laertes, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and even Hamlet himself can be traced back to Hamlet’s “antic disposition” (Shakespeare I, v, 173). Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are only involved because the King wishes to find the cause of Hamlet’s madness and their deaths are a result of Hamlet rewriting the letter asking for his own death. Furthermore, Polonius is only spying on Hamlet to, again, determine the cause of Hamlet’s madness. Then Laertes, upset over Hamlet’s responsibility for the deaths of both his sister and his father, agrees to duel Hamlet. Unsurprisingly, both face fatal consequences. Hamlet makes the choice to manipulate those around him