Michael Benedetto
Mrs. Fazari
ENG 4U1
1 December 2015
Madness Creating Sickness and Disease in Denmark
“Poor Ophelia divided from herself and her fair judgment, without the which we are pictures or mere beasts”(Act 4.5.91-93). In this quote, King Claudius describes to his wife Gertrude, as Ophelia as being “divided from herself ” towards the end of the play. In other words, Ophelia is losing her mind. Although, what causes Ophelia to go mad? In William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, the motif of madness caused by the feud of Hamlet and his stepfather, King Claudius contaminate the state of Denmark like a disease/sickness. Much evidence is provided in the play, that Hamlet deliberately feigned fits of madness in order to confuse and throw off …show more content…
The character who is mostly affected by this is Ophelia. Ophelia, undoubtedly loses her mind and is driven to commit suicide primarily by the overwhelming attitude of the men in her life and most importantly, the death of her father. Ophelia’s brother, Laertes and her father, Polonius are convinced that Ophelia cannot marry Hamlet. Her brother and her father have control over her social and love life. As well, Hamlet’s attitude towards Ophelia is also very rude, complicating and mentally confusing. Madness might just be the only way she has of fighting back. According to Shweta Bali, in her essay on “Mechanics of Madness in Hamlet”, she states “After Polonius’ murder, Ophelia’s confused and chaotic state of mind manifests itself in the form of madness. Music and song which are often associated with insanity become her tools of expression. Her songs demonstrate her muddled state of mind”(5). Ophelia goes mad rather than getting mad. The appearance of Ophelia dressed in white, oddly singing and handing out garlands of white flowers undoubtedly shows her insanity increasing spreading violently like a disease, before she commits her act of suicide. The breaking point towards Ophelia’s madness is in fact, her father Polonius’ death, we see Hamlet's first impulsive murder, by reacting instinctively, without thought. “What wilt thou do? Thou wilt not murder me? Help, help, ho!”(Act 3.4.21-22). In this quote, Gertrude is screaming out for help because she is she scared of Hamlet’s increasing anger, in their conversation. Caused by King Claudius’ plan to have Polonius hide behind the arras listening to a conversation Hamlet is having with his mother. Ultimately, King Claudius’ determination to figure out the cause of Hamlet’s bizarre and threatening behavior, threatening his position as
Mrs. Fazari
ENG 4U1
1 December 2015
Madness Creating Sickness and Disease in Denmark
“Poor Ophelia divided from herself and her fair judgment, without the which we are pictures or mere beasts”(Act 4.5.91-93). In this quote, King Claudius describes to his wife Gertrude, as Ophelia as being “divided from herself ” towards the end of the play. In other words, Ophelia is losing her mind. Although, what causes Ophelia to go mad? In William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, the motif of madness caused by the feud of Hamlet and his stepfather, King Claudius contaminate the state of Denmark like a disease/sickness. Much evidence is provided in the play, that Hamlet deliberately feigned fits of madness in order to confuse and throw off …show more content…
The character who is mostly affected by this is Ophelia. Ophelia, undoubtedly loses her mind and is driven to commit suicide primarily by the overwhelming attitude of the men in her life and most importantly, the death of her father. Ophelia’s brother, Laertes and her father, Polonius are convinced that Ophelia cannot marry Hamlet. Her brother and her father have control over her social and love life. As well, Hamlet’s attitude towards Ophelia is also very rude, complicating and mentally confusing. Madness might just be the only way she has of fighting back. According to Shweta Bali, in her essay on “Mechanics of Madness in Hamlet”, she states “After Polonius’ murder, Ophelia’s confused and chaotic state of mind manifests itself in the form of madness. Music and song which are often associated with insanity become her tools of expression. Her songs demonstrate her muddled state of mind”(5). Ophelia goes mad rather than getting mad. The appearance of Ophelia dressed in white, oddly singing and handing out garlands of white flowers undoubtedly shows her insanity increasing spreading violently like a disease, before she commits her act of suicide. The breaking point towards Ophelia’s madness is in fact, her father Polonius’ death, we see Hamlet's first impulsive murder, by reacting instinctively, without thought. “What wilt thou do? Thou wilt not murder me? Help, help, ho!”(Act 3.4.21-22). In this quote, Gertrude is screaming out for help because she is she scared of Hamlet’s increasing anger, in their conversation. Caused by King Claudius’ plan to have Polonius hide behind the arras listening to a conversation Hamlet is having with his mother. Ultimately, King Claudius’ determination to figure out the cause of Hamlet’s bizarre and threatening behavior, threatening his position as