Hamlet: Hamlets Sanity :: Shakespeare Hamlet Essays

Hamlet Hamlets Sanity          Great wits are sure 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 argument ofwhether or not Hamlet went insane. When a character such as Hamlet is underscrutiny, it can sometimes be difficult to determine what state he is in at particular moments in the play. Nonetheless, Hamlet merely pretends to beinsane so that he can calculate his moves according to the situation athand.         There are umpteen situations throughout the play that are enough tobring Hamlet to insanity. Take, for example, Act IV, scene II, afterPoloniuss death. Hamlets day has been hectic he finally determines thatClaudius has despatched his father. The chance to kill Claudius confronts him,and he comes very close to convincing Gertrude that Claudius killed hisfather. Hamlet accidentall y kills Polonius and finally, the ghost of hisfather visits him. Though at this point 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 pass 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 behaves ration ally (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 words have a method to them thither appears to be areason behind them, they are logical in nature. (II, ii).         Hamlet is also able to make smart remarks to Rosencrantz andGuildenstern, comparing them to sponges. When he (Claudius) involve 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 sense Rosencrantz and Guildenstern soak up all the kings