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Examples Of Mental Illness In The Elizabethan Era

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Mental illness was highly disregarded and an under-researched element in the Elizabethan Era. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlet, the main character, is commonly analyzed and discussed regarding his mental state. However, another important character with a questionable mental state is Ophelia. Shakespeare utilizes the indirect characterization of Ophelia and the theme of patriarchal conflicts in order to comment on Elizabethans’ views on madness in women. He emphasizes the suppression of women and the detrimental effects associated with said suppression. Throughout the story, Ophelia demonstrates symptoms of a mental illness and ultimately ends up committing suicide. While analyzing the character Ophelia, Nancy Andreasen, a neuropsychologist, …show more content…

Her death by suicide is a not-uncommon consequence of untreated schizoaffective disorder” (Andreason) Andreason explains in her literary anaylisis “The Artist as Scientist”, that Shakespeare utilizes dialogue to explore and explain mental illness and the effect it plays on women in the Elizabethan era. Ophelia’s actions and characterization illustrate the symptoms of Schizoaffective disorder. During the Elizabethan era, mental illness was not yet researched, therefore Ophelia was labeled as having erotomania, also known as love-madness. Knowing this, Ophelia was treated and was taught to be embarrassed by her body. Hamlet and Ophelia have a conversation in which Hamlet brings up her body: That’s a fair thought to lie between maids’ legs. What is, my …show more content…

Ophelia is having an internal conflict in which she has her own beliefs and values but is forced to follow the wishes of her father. After seeing the hypocrisy in her father and her lover Ophelia loses trust in love. Ophelia’s father states that “Then I’ll tell you. Believe that you are a foolish little baby for believing these “offers” are something real. Offer yourself more respect, or—not to beat this word to death—you’ll offer me the chance to be a laughing-stock.” (Hamlet. I. 3.105-107). In “Dominated Daughters”, Dehre comments on the idea that because Ophelia and other women, are silenced and taught to submit to authority, they suffer and are unable to fully become adults: “Stunned into a fear of her lover and a childlike dependency on her father, Ophelia suddenly has them both removed, and even her brother is out of the country. She collapses into madness because she knows not where to turn for guidance“ (Dehre). Ophelia respects her fathers beliefs knowing he must be “wiser” but, ultimately this leads her to be so dependent on him. After losing her father Ophelia ends up losing herself with him as well. Shakespeare utilizes the characterization of Ophelia to comment on patriarchal influences on women and the effects that occur because of these

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