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 critical point 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 dis regurgitateed. This paper argues that the contrapuntal character in the play, namely Ophelia, acts as a balancing argument to Hamlets madness or sanity. Ophelias breakdown and Hamlets north-north-west brand of alienation argue for Hamlet having a method to his go forming 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, piece Ophelias breakdown is quick, but more conclusive in its precision. Shakespeare offers clear evidence pointing to H amlets 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 ghost. If Hamlet were to see his fathers ghost in private, the argument for his madness would greatly improve. Yet, not one, but three men unitedly watchman 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 depressed 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 faculty not this believe/ Without the sensible and true avouch/ Of mine own eyes. Horatio, who appears frequently throughout the play, acts as an emphatically sane alibi to Hamlet again when framing the King with his reaction to the play.That Hamlet speaks 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 sovereignty 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 tempt out his plan.