Comparing Insanity In Shakespeare's Hamlet And Ophelia

In one of Shakespeare’s greatest works, Hamlet, the concept of madness sparks great controversy and is known to be one of the most debatable aspects of the play alone. The most prominent victims are Hamlet and Ophelia, where madness becomes rooted into their existence. // The most unmistakable victims are Hamlet and Ophelia, where madness becomes rooted into their existence. The protagonist, Hamlet, first establishes himself as one who displays irrational behavior in familial circumstances/conditions, especially with his sweetheart, Ophelia. Subsequently, this concept is evident when both the fathers meet their passing, resulting in their spiral into insanity. This couple encounters an inner turmoil, which alters their mental state/mentalities,

This relates to the dynamic familial relationships in the play and the contemplations and hardships faced by Hamlet and Ophelia throughout. The families each have direct influence on their offsprings’ lives, especially Ophelia, who is bound by her father and brother. She is portrayed as the typical Elizabethan woman of her time, dependent on the male figures in her life, and therefore deemed as weak. In the beginning of the play, Ophelia obliges to a life of stipulated obedience and orders. Her two guardian angels, Polonius and Laertes, restrict her emotions, thoughts, and voice in all matters of life. They believe her to be incapable and always speak on her behalf as seen in, “If it be so as so ’tis put on me— And that in way of caution—I must tell you, You do not understand yourself so clearly. As it behooves my daughter and your honour.” (1.3.95-98). She is indeed incompetent/inept of emotion control, the disregard of her feelings compels her to lean on others for moral support, particularly her celibacy. On the other hand, Hamlet’s scheme requires the vast majority to believe his ploy. He commences this ruse in Ophelia's room to express the devotion of love to her. Assuming his high intentions, Ophelia privately converses with her father as she proclaims,

Another example of Hamlet's falsified madness is in the conversation between Hamlet and his father’s ghost, while the Queen is evidently still present. His mother, Gertrude, is one who cannot see the apparition alike many others, tells her son, "No, nothing but ourselves...this the very coinage of your brain./ This bodiless creation ecstasy/ Is very cunning in..." (3.4, 134-139). His own mother believes Hamlet to be extremely mad, even prior to Hamlet’s explanation on the matter. Gertrude rightfully assumes he is simply conversing with himself, resulting in the sharing of false information to the King that Hamlet is in fact insane. Readers can infer that Hamlet is not mad, since it is known (omnipotent) that he is indeed speaking to the ghost of his father. Leading back to his current state of madness, Ophelia’s father knows he is not mad, but acting to be mad and has “method in’t” (QUOTE) behind the acts. Other relatives assume he is simply mad from the behavioural issues and unjust actions displayed from