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Theme Of Sanity And Insanity In Hamlet

542 Words3 Pages

In Hamlet, Shakespeare uses many references to sanity and insanity. Throughout the play, Hamlet goes back and forth between sanity and insanity, whether pretending to be insane just to mess with those he does not like or to save himself from getting in trouble. Hamlet is actually one of the smartest characters in the play, which is why he can pull off acting crazy so well. Shakespeare uses this idea of sanity and insanity to help the plot change and take a different directions. One of the most discussed topics of the Hamlet is whether Hamlet is insane or if he was just pretending the whole time. When the play first began Hamlet did not seem crazy but more depressed and suicidal after his father’s death, he did not begin to act crazy until learning about his father’s murder.”How strange or odd soe’er I bear myself, to put an antic disposition on...”, here Hamlet tells Horatio that he will start to act crazy but for them to just ignore it. After this when Hamlet only acts mad around thoses who he does not trust but when …show more content…

The references cause the plot to change because there is confusion which causes two characters to argue and reveals things about the play and helps it move along. Hamlet presents many unanswered questions, many about Hamlet's sanity, Ophelia’s death is also a questionable, she seemed to have actually went mad after her father’s death and Hamlet being sent away. They could not tell whether or not her death was actually a suicide because she ended up going mad. Each reference of sanity and insanity are significant because they add confusion, drama, emotional stress and humor to Hamlet.This “Insanity” that Hamlet has is a way for him to vent his anger and emotions towards people in the play, Shakespeare seems to have wanted the audience to question yet understand what is happening in the

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451 Words | 2 Pages

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