Hamlet: Hamlets Sanity :: Shakespeare Hamlet Essays

Hamlet Hamlets Sanity          Great wits are convinced(predicate) to madness near allied, and thin partitions dotheir bounds divide. Though John Drydens quote was not made in regard toWilliam Shakespeares Hamlet, it relates very well to the command ofwhether or not Hamlet went insane. When a character such as Hamlet is underscrutiny, it can sometimes be difficult to determine what extract he is in atparticular moments in the play. Nonetheless, Hamlet merely creates to beinsane so that he can calculate his moves according to the berth athand.         There are many situations throughout the play that are enough tobring Hamlet to insanity. Take, for example, Act IV, scene II, afterPoloniuss death. Hamlets day has been feverish he finally determines thatClaudius has killed his father. The chance to kill Claudius confronts him,and he comes very close to convincing Gertrude that Claudius killed hisfather. Hamlet a ccidentally kills Polonius and finally, the ghost of hisfather visits him. Though at this flush these situations create plenty ofreasons for Hamlet to be insane, he remains sharp and credible. Hamletconcocts this state of madness...his intellect remains clear, his discoursesound and comprehensive, (Harris, p. 129).         Hamlet reveals to his friends and his mother of his plans topretend act insane. He tells Horatio that he is going to feign madness,and that if Horatio notices any strange behavior from Hamlet, it is becausehe is putting on an act. (I, v). Hamlet also tells his mother that he isnot mad, but mad in craft. (III, iv). In addition to his confessions,Hamlets madness only manifests itself when he is in the presence ofcertain characters. When Hamlet is around Polonius, Claudius, Gertrude,Ophelia, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, he behaves irrationally. When Hamletis around Horatio, Bernardo, Francisco, The Players and the Gravediggers,he beh aves rationally (Bevington, p. 59).         Some of the characters themselves come to realize that Hamlet isnot mad. Claudius confesses that Hamlets actions although strange, do notappear to stem from madness. (III, i). In addition, Polonius admits thatHamlets actions and spoken language have a method to them there appears to be areason behind them, they are logical in nature. (II, ii).         Hamlet is also able to authorize smart remarks to Rosencrantz andGuildenstern, comparing them to sponges. When he (Claudius) needs what youhave gleaned, it is but squeezing you and, sponge, you shall be dry again,(     ). This is random and unexpected, as many of his actions, but thecomparison makes consciousness Rosencrantz and Guildenstern soak up all the kings