Is Hamlet Insane?
The sanity of the human being is a treasured thing and, by its nature, a vital component of what makes a person. Yet in order to avenge his father’s death Hamlet willingly sacrifices his own sanity, at least in public, so that he may conspire without suspicion. In fact, Hamlet plays the part of an insane man so convincingly, many have claimed that at some point in the play the madness stops being an act and Hamlet truly loses his mind. However, Hamlet shows a clarity of actions and a level of analysis throughout the entirety of the play that is simply not present with an insane person. Hamlet’s sanity can be proven through the analysis of his thoughts and actions, how his behavior compares to that of a truly mad …show more content…
Insanity is defined as “the unsoundness of mind or the lack of ability to understand”. This is a definition Hamlet clearly does not fit. Throughout the entirety of the play Hamlet maintains the ability to think analytically and demonstrate self-control in a way that bespeaks his exemplary understanding of the world around him and how its occupants function. The first example of Hamlet’s analytical thinking capabilities is in Act II Scene ii where Hamlet develops his plan to have the players perform The Murder of Gonzago in order to observe Claudius’s reaction. Hamlet understands that forcing Claudius to watch his wicked deeds replayed might make him act in a guilty manner and Hamlet uses this information to devise a plan to determine if the information the ghost king has given him is true. An insane person would most likely not be able to enlist this use of foresight and rationality to create such an ingenious idea. Hamlet also employs a presence of mind and control of self that is rare to find in an insane person in Act III Scene iii. Hamlet strongly desires to kill Claudius but he understands that it would be better to kill at a time when he is not in prayer, instead …show more content…
Ophelia demonstrates no control over her words and behavior, running around the castle singing lewd songs and making little sense (IV.v.4-13). Every so-called “insane” action that Hamlet perpetrates has a pointed purpose. He throws Ophelia around because he knows Polonius is watching. He acts insane because it will allow him to scheme without suspicion. Hamlet also possess the ability to turn his insanity on and off, something Ophelia is not capable of. His behavior differs greatly from character to character depending on his trust for said character. With Horatio, Hamlet feels free to share his deep and analytical thoughts as well as his moments of genius, such as in Act V Scene ii where he shares with him how he brought about the death of Rosencrantz and Guildensten (38-47). Hamlet also reassures his mother that his insanity is just an act in Act III Scene iv telling her "I essentially am not in madness, But mad in craft (187-188)." This differentiation in behavior proves that Hamlet maintains the ability to control the way he is received by others. A truly insane person would not be able to turn their insanity off, as is demonstrated in the character of
The sanity of the human being is a treasured thing and, by its nature, a vital component of what makes a person. Yet in order to avenge his father’s death Hamlet willingly sacrifices his own sanity, at least in public, so that he may conspire without suspicion. In fact, Hamlet plays the part of an insane man so convincingly, many have claimed that at some point in the play the madness stops being an act and Hamlet truly loses his mind. However, Hamlet shows a clarity of actions and a level of analysis throughout the entirety of the play that is simply not present with an insane person. Hamlet’s sanity can be proven through the analysis of his thoughts and actions, how his behavior compares to that of a truly mad …show more content…
Insanity is defined as “the unsoundness of mind or the lack of ability to understand”. This is a definition Hamlet clearly does not fit. Throughout the entirety of the play Hamlet maintains the ability to think analytically and demonstrate self-control in a way that bespeaks his exemplary understanding of the world around him and how its occupants function. The first example of Hamlet’s analytical thinking capabilities is in Act II Scene ii where Hamlet develops his plan to have the players perform The Murder of Gonzago in order to observe Claudius’s reaction. Hamlet understands that forcing Claudius to watch his wicked deeds replayed might make him act in a guilty manner and Hamlet uses this information to devise a plan to determine if the information the ghost king has given him is true. An insane person would most likely not be able to enlist this use of foresight and rationality to create such an ingenious idea. Hamlet also employs a presence of mind and control of self that is rare to find in an insane person in Act III Scene iii. Hamlet strongly desires to kill Claudius but he understands that it would be better to kill at a time when he is not in prayer, instead …show more content…
Ophelia demonstrates no control over her words and behavior, running around the castle singing lewd songs and making little sense (IV.v.4-13). Every so-called “insane” action that Hamlet perpetrates has a pointed purpose. He throws Ophelia around because he knows Polonius is watching. He acts insane because it will allow him to scheme without suspicion. Hamlet also possess the ability to turn his insanity on and off, something Ophelia is not capable of. His behavior differs greatly from character to character depending on his trust for said character. With Horatio, Hamlet feels free to share his deep and analytical thoughts as well as his moments of genius, such as in Act V Scene ii where he shares with him how he brought about the death of Rosencrantz and Guildensten (38-47). Hamlet also reassures his mother that his insanity is just an act in Act III Scene iv telling her "I essentially am not in madness, But mad in craft (187-188)." This differentiation in behavior proves that Hamlet maintains the ability to control the way he is received by others. A truly insane person would not be able to turn their insanity off, as is demonstrated in the character of