The Theme of Madness Characterized by Ophelia and Hamlet in Hamlet by William Shakespeare :: Papers Hamlet Shakespeare Essays

The Theme of Madness Characterized by Ophelia and juncture in Hamlet by William Shakespeare In Hamlet, Shakespeare incorporates a theme of madness with two characters one truly mad, and one only acting mad to serve a motive. The madness of Hamlet is frequently disputed. This makeup argues that the contrapuntal character in the play, namely Ophelia, acts as a balancing argument to Hamlets madness or sanity. Ophelias breakd throw birth and Hamlets north-north-west brand of insanity argue for Hamlet having a method to his seeming insanity. The play offers a character on each side of sanity. While Shakespeare does not directly put Ophelias insanity, or breakdown, against Hamlets own madness, there is indeed a clear definitiveness in Ophelias condition and a clear uncertainty in Hamlets madness. Obviously, Hamlets character offers more evidence, while Ophelias breakdown is quick, entirely more conclusive in its precision. Shakespeare offers clear evidence pointing to Hamlet s sanity beginning with the first scene of the play. Hamlet begins with guards whose main importance in the play is to give credibility to the shadow. If Hamlet were to see his fathers ghost in private, the argument for his madness would greatly improve. Yet, not one, but three men together witness the ghost before even thinking to notify Hamlet. As Hamlet says, O that this too too sullied flesh would melt we can see that he is dismay and appalled, but it does not mean he is insane. As Horatio says, being the only one of the guards to play a significant role in the rest of the play, before my God, I might not this believe/ Without the sensible and true avouch/ Of mine own eyes. Horatio, who appears frequently throughout the play, acts as an unquestionably sane explain to Hamlet again when framing the King with his reaction to the play.That Hamlet plows to the ghost alone detracts somewhat from its credibility, but all the men were witness to the ghost demanding they speak alone. Horatio offers an insightful warning, What if it tempts you toward the flood, my lord, Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff That beetles oer his base into the sea, And there assume some other horrible form. Which might deprive your reign of reason, And draw you into madness? Think of it. Horatios comment may be where Hamlet gets the idea to use a plea of insanity to work out his plan.