Hamlet, Madman?

Michael Hall

Period 4

11/16/14

Hamlet, the madman?

            Hamlet, the main character from the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, has been seen as a mad man by many people who examine the work. But is he? After looking at the evidence for both sides it is clear that there is substantial evidence for both, but the much more plausible one is that he is in fact playing everyone and acting with way on purpose. Evidence that is is true is how he always has quick rebuttals and sees through the lies that people tell him. There are still instances that question whether he is mad such as why he would want to be seen as mad and how he acts around some people like Ophelia.

            One sign that Hamlet was not was the way that he interacts with the majority of the characters. He replies with witty responses that typically have double meanings, a man who was totally gone wouldn't be able to pull that off. Secondly he is able to see right through the lies that people try to tell him such as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Also in his soliloquies he shows a deep insight into his self, at these moments we seen that he has a plan, a very complex one. It takes a very intelligent and well working mind to make up such a plan. The main ways that the audience hears of his “madness” is not from him but the other characters such as Ophelia taking to others about him.

            One of the few things that do support that he is mad in some way is the way he talks and acts to Ophelia. An example is when the play I going on and he lays done on her lap, these scenes contradict what we know from his speeches. He isn't concerned with the revenge he desires but instead just Ophelia. He continuously changes what he says and how he acts around and towards her. As further evidence there is a part where she describes Hamlet to her father as being very out of the norm and mad.

            Altogether Shakespeare created Hamlet as a very interesting character to say the least. There are many audiences who believe that Hamlet is a madman, and quite rightfully based on the way he is presented by other characters and his actions around Ophelia. But based on the way he is able to see through all the lies and create such elaborate retorts and plans there has to be some part of him that is sane, and that is the part of him that is truly what controls him.