Bipolar Disorder In Hamlet

The Shakespearean classic Hamlet, tells a story set in what we now call Denmark about Prince Hamlet. Hamlet has to leave from his school in Germany to Denmark for his father’ funeral, when he arrives he finds out that his mother Gertrude has already found another husband, which turns out to be his Uncle Claudius. Hamlet is not happy with the marriage as he refers to it as “foul incest”, he’s also not happy because Claudius crowned himself King. Hamlet then meets the ghost of his father and the ghost confirms that Claudius murdered him. Prince Hamlet then decides to get revenge and during the journey he suffers with depression, mania and mood swings, which leads you to believe he suffered some sort of mental illness, but to be more specific

There are five classifications of Bipolar Disorder which are Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia, Mixed Bipolar and Rapid-cycling. All Bipolar types experience manic or hypomanic and depressive episodes to varying degrees. Mania is defined as sudden euphoria or rage, inflated self-esteem, racing thoughts, and decreased need for sleep. The classification Bipolar I is the most severe classification, those who suffer from Bipolar I may experience manic episodes that begin suddenly and last for an average four months, these episodes may last even longer up to 6 months but less than a year. The risk of suicide is high in this classification, the presence of mixed episodes which combine manic and depressive symptoms may further increase the suicide risk. Bipolar II disorder is considered a milder form of bipolar disorder and is more common. People who suffer Bipolar II typically experience less intense hypomanic episodes of euphoric or irritable mood followed by depressive episodes which are often experienced with greater intensity. Hypomania may appear as simply an outgoing personality which makes it difficult to diagnosis but others might experience it as a negative state that causes agitation and difficulty concentrating. If there is no treatment these hypomanic episodes may escalate and turn into full mania. Rapid-cycling disorder is characterized by

His father’s death is really a turning point in his life because it almost flips his life upside down and introduces a lot of changes to his life like not going school and the disconnect of not seeing familiar faces or even friends, this all compound and lead to depression. After he met the ghost of his father, everything is suddenly rushed and he is determined to avenge his father saying “Haste, haste me to know it, that with wings as swift / As meditation or the thoughts of love / May sweep to my revenge.” He begins planning and being careful that no one knows his plans. He does this by convincing others like Polonius, Ophelia and Rosencrantz that he has lost his mind. During this episode he convinces himself of the importance of the plan. Shortly after he ends up in another manic episode when he is approached by Ophelia, he convinces her further that he’s gone insane, the episode takes him to almost killing Claudius but he reconsiders after a brief moment of clarity, the episode then leads to the abrupt murder of Polonius, whose body is successfully hid by Hamlet.

Bipolar disorder is a condition that happens in moments accompanied by periods of depression that can lead to thoughts