Hamlet 8 :: essays research papers

Is settlement Mad?Is Hamlet mad or sane, and if he is mad, was Polonius accurate in saying that in that respect was a &8220method to his madnessIn Hamlet, there is two characters who fit a mad description, one truly mad, and one only acting mad to servicing a plot. Ophelia and Hamlet, with argument to the other&8217s madness or sanity, Hamlet&8217s character offers more(prenominal)(prenominal) evidence, while Operlia&8217s breakdown is quick, but more precise in its madness.If Hamlet were to see his father&8217s ghost in private, the argument for his madness would greatly improve. The fact that three men together, view the ghost before even thinking of notifying Hamlet. Which makes the claim about Hamlet being mad, seem weak. However Horatio pleads a warning to Hamlet, saying &8220What if it tempts you toward the flood, my lord, or to the horrifying summit of the cliff that beetles o&8217er his base into the sea, and there assume some other horrible form which might deprive y our sovereignty of reason, and make it you into madness? Think of it.Horatio&8217s comment may be where Hamlet gets the idea to use a plea of insanity to work out his plan. Later, when Hamlet tells his mother that he saw the ghost in his mothers room, her amazement at his madness is quite convincing.Another instance of Hamlet&8217s behavior, manipulation in his meeting with Ophelia, where his uncle and Polonius are hiding behind a curtain.(Earlier in the play it is made quite clear, Hamlets feeling towards Ophelia.) When his complete rejection of her was clearly a hoax.Hamlet&8217s actions in the play after meeting the ghost lead everyone except Horatio to believe he is crazy. Hamlet questions his conduct in his speech at he end of Act 2, but after a long time of thinking he decides to go with his instinct and prove to himself without a doubt, the king&8217s guilt before proceeding rashly.As Hamlet told Guildenstern in Act 2, &8220 I am but mad north-north-west when the wind is sou therly I love a hawk from a handsaw. This statement reveals Hamlet&8217s intent to fool people with his odd behavior. This is after Polonius&8217 comment earlier in the aforementioned(prenominal) scene. &8220 Though this be madness, yet there is method in&8217t.Ophelia with her unquestionable insanity, puts Hamlet&8217s very questionable madness in a more of a spotlight, while all Ophelia can do after learning of her father&8217s death is to sing.