Nature Of Madness In Hamlet

The definition of madness differs between each individual, although, much of the audience may describe Hamlet as delusional and mad, others describe him as reasonable and normal. Hamlet 's tragic plights, from his father 's death to the accidental killing of Polonius, drive the apparent increasing irrationality of Hamlet 's actions. Through Hamlet 's tragic plights, Shakespeare examines the subjective nature of madness, irrational behavior in context of human nature, and madness as a sense of clarity and consciousness. Society’s affinity for labeling certain individuals as insane, perpetuates a culture of deceit and misrepresentation. The inherent nature of madness suggests distortion and confusion. While one may define madness as “mental …show more content…
When the majority of society neglects unforgivable infringements on basic human principles, such as trust and integrity, one ought reevaluate his or her own definition of rationality. Irrational behavior exhibited by the calculating and the fearful, sheds light on what society considers rational behavior. In Hamlet, rational behavior consists of the acceptance of incest, fratricide and death. Normal individuals like Gertrude believe “[ladies] doth protest too much” (3.2.218), they promise to much to their spouses. Hamlet shows that in the face of rationality, the institution of commitment and trust erodes, and not only in marriage but also in all aspects of human life. As Hamlet says to Polonius “doubt truth to be a liar” (2.2.113), “to be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand” (2.2170-171). Polonius ironically gives Hamlet advice to “to thine ownself be true” (1.3.78-82), while he himself deceives Hamlet and his children. Polonius wears two faces, one of an advisor and of shining gratitude and one of an informant and of double crossing. Yet society, consistently upholds deceit and puts down truth. When analyzing irrational behavior, such as Hamlet’s indecisiveness or Hamlet’s encounters with Old Hamlet, the nature of this behavior becomes apparent. They involve a certain layer of truth. Old Hamlet exposes his brother’s plot, and Hamlet’s indecisiveness relates to a fear and a scheming in response to this exposition. However, people judge on this truth as madness and irrational behavior. If Hamlet seized no response, no reaction at all, if he idly let sins go unmitigated, then he would be a sane human being. Through observing apparent madness and irrational behavior, Shakespeare challenges the audience to define the opposite, sense and rational behavior. In some sense, madness can be observed as evidence of