Hamlet Observations Of Madness
Over the centuries, many famous, and infamous writers, thinkers and individuals have analyzed, re-analyzed, and interpreted Shakespeare’s works. One of the most analyzed plays in existence today is the tragedy Hamlet, with its recurring question: "Is Hamlet’s 'antic disposition' feigned or real?" In truth, this question can only be answered by observing the thoughts of the main characters in relation to the cause of Hamlet real or feigned madness. In the tragedy Hamlet, each of the main characters explains Hamlets madness in their own unique way. To discover the cause behind the madness of Hamlet, each character used their own ambitions, emotions and interpretations of past ...
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or thwarted ambition. In a conversation with Hamlet in Act II scene II, Guildenstern and Rosencrantz come upon this idea:
Hamlet: Denmark's a prison.
Rosencrantz: Then is the world one.
Hamlet: A goodly one; in which there are many confines,
wards and dungeons, Denmark being one o' the worst.
Rosencrantz: We think not so, my lord.
Hamlet: Why, then, 'tis none to you; for there is nothing
either good or bad, but thinking makes it
so: to me it is a prison.
When the heir apparent calls his heritage a prison, something must be seriously wrong, and it is not difficult for them to guess what that something is. As prince of Denmark, Hamlet was next in line to become king. Unfortunately, his mother’s marriage to his uncle removed the short-term possibility for Hamlet to become king. Continuing on,
Rosencrantz: Why then, your ambition makes it one;
'tis too narrow for your mind.
Hamlet: O God, I could be bounded in a nut shell and count
...
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him to find his or her own explanation for it, and hiding the shocking truth from everyone. Rosencrantz’s and Guildenstern’s need to discover the cause of Hamlet’s madness arises out of their desire to please the king and gain favor in his eye. However, their decision on lack of advancement as the cause shows something about the characters themselves. The two men obviously care a great deal about their own personal success. This can be seen by their actions of spying on Hamlet in the above scene, and later, their betrayal of Hamlet. Hamlet himself latter tells Horatio of their wrong doings and his own feelings towards them:
Hamlet: Why, man, they did make love to ...
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"Hamlet Observations Of Madness." Essayworld.com. April 26, 2007. Accessed November 22, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Hamlet-Observations-Of-Madness/63951.
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