Examining the Madness of Hamlet Portrayed in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay

The theme of madness in Hamlet has been a widely popular topic in the discussion of the play by both critics and readers alike. It is quite simple to ascertain the reason why, since the play confronts us with evidence to prove the validity of the claim to Hamlets truthful madness, or, rather, a view that the actions and words arising from the apparent madness, is but an feigned antic disposition as proclaimed by Hamlet himself. This uncertainty in my view, is the point that has bothered many readers of the play, since a dramatic device like this has its purpose. What that purpose is as yet, is not made clear because of the conflicting evidence of that rouse be found within the play that supports or contradicts each other. Some have even attributed this uncertainty as carelessness on Shakespeares part. My view however is that the unresolved tension these questions bring up, have a part in playing out the plot and also in showing the uncertainties of human nature. hydrophobia in my view, is not an absolute concept. Its occurrence varies with the situation, or for Hamlet, it varies in the degree he allows his emotions to carry him.The significance of madness in the plot can be seen on two levels. First, on the more than superficial level of the plot itself, where madness on Hamlets part seeks to disarm his enemy, Claudius, in order that he may buy time to affirm the Ghosts allegations. On a deeper level, this madness reflects the true nature of his deeper psychological self, and poses questions of his behavior. It is the position of these two levels co-existing that brings about the ambiguity of Hamlets true nature, since both these ideas seem to contradict and even clash with cardinal another.The first reason, that to disarm Claudiuss suspi... ...to help Hamlet, is faithful to fathers wishes and shares secrets with her brother. However, Hamlets deterioration, coupled with the wrath of his anger made to kill her father, upsets her to her breaking point. As poor Ophelia cannot see why her world changes suddenly with the stabbing of her father by her lover. It is too shocking, unlike Hamlets gradual process into deterioration, whose pivotal point was slower. That is why she plunges into a much deeper madness than Hamlet. Her brother, being far away in France is unable to do anything. Her loneliness thus compounds her sorrow further, leaving her no one to turn to.In conclusion, my answer to whether Hamlet is mad is thus he was mad, but mad in a way that unlike Ophelias more conventional madness of the mind, was that of the heart. Hamlets madness came out of rage and emotion that bubbled silently within.