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Examples Of Bipolar Disorder In Hamlet

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Hamlet is the main character in Shakespeare's play who endures various emotional states and is often analyzed for his interesting psychological attitudes. Throughout the play, Hamlet goes through the complex mental states of passive-aggressive personality and bipolar disorder. Hamlet’s bipolar disorder is quickly revealed because of the situations and personal issues he faces. He experiences extreme mood swings and is often in states of mind where he is low and depressed, while other times he is energetic and full of excitement. For example, in Act II, Scene II, Hamlet explains, “What a piece of work is a man…Man delights not me, nor woman neither.” In the first part of the line, he explains the beauty of humanity and delights in its fascination. …show more content…

AT times, he behaves in a way where it is difficult for others to decipher, and other times, he is his authentic self. He knows when to act as himself, and other times he will act as someone no one can read. For instance, in Act II, Scene II, Hamlet explains to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, “I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.” In this instance, Hamlet pretends to act insane but subtly reveals his motives when he alludes to the fact that he knows when to act sane and insane. The fact that Hamlet said that the wind is southerly means that the wind blows away the clouds, which let Hamlet peer into Claudius’s and his enemies' motives and tricks. Because of this, he can play his cards skillfully and caustically, by acting strange at the right …show more content…

For example, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and others pretend that his madness simply does not exist and try to brush it off. Justifiably, Hamlet’s problem isn’t their issue, and they should not feel as though they should take any responsibility for his insanity. However, characters like Ophelia notice and acknowledge Hamlet’s behavior but are unable to help him, as his act of madness overrules sanity. Hamlet's act benefited and also backfired his plan. It benefited him where it allowed him to speak his mind in ways where others couldn’t quite comprehend and, therefore, was left out from the truth. Having said that, his act was counterproductive as at times, and his madness may have caused him to act too impulsively, which led to his ultimate

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Hamlet is talking to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and he is basically telling them that he is acting delusional. “I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is/ southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw” (Shakespeare II. ii. 351-351).

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Hamlet's insane behavior is a significant part of the story because it is supposedly part of his revenge plan, but also because of the additional problems, it creates. Some have argued that his madness was indeed an act, but rather real madness that he was trying to cover up by telling people

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709 Words | 3 Pages

In the play “Hamlet” the main character, Hamlet, is portrayed as a madman. However, in the play, Hamlet believes he is faking his madness. This prompts the question of whether or not he is faking his madness. This decision is left up to the reader to interpret. In the play Hamlet starts his downward spiral by pretending to be crazy, however pretending to be crazy eventually drove him to real madness as by the end of the play he had lost his mind.

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Contrasting his attitudes with the moments that the king walks in, his behavior towards Polonius while the play is preparing, and his actions to Ophelia during the play, Hamlet is sporadic, when alone with Horatio, he is calm and collected, then again the sudden resumption to his “antic disposition” when Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter. There is a long break in which we don’t sense any insanity from Hamlet, this is due to the fact that he has no need to assume his disguise. When we find Hamlet with the players, he is giving them directions for the play. With the players, Hamlet acts normal and of sound mind because the players are not likely to betray him, they don’t have the opportunity or the wish to do so.

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He expresses his feeling in his “heart, for I must hold my tongue” (1.2.160). This is an important quote because it is important to understand because it allows to the reader to see that Hamlet cannot speak to anyone about how he feels. As an effect to his decision of not speaking out, this allowed for rage and discomfort to grow inside him which will be one of the main reasons as to why he is legitimately going insane. With these various stressors in his life, it gives more evidence and reasoning to why he often experienced constant signs of depression and suicidal thoughts. The signs of distress he showed throughout the play are highlighted tremendously since he experienced major signs of depression.

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The suffering of the many depressive illness hamlet had, with some obsessional features. Hamlet deliberately shows madness in order to confuse and disconcern the king and his attendance towards his actions. Hamlet shouldn't have been insane, selfish or a hero because that's what made it so depressing.

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1514 Words | 7 Pages

What would one expect the personality of a man whose father was murdered by his uncle, who becomes his step-father? The personality in question points to Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark—who William Shakespeare depicts in his play “Hamlet.” A character analysis of Hamlet reveals that through his internal dialogue, his interpretation of his father 's murder, and his actions, his traits—bitterness, depression, and anger—emerge. Scholars have studied Hamlet for decades, and most have concluded that Hamlet 's personality indicated insanity. However, after observing Hamlet 's actions, his actions throughout the play do not resemble those of an insane person.

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1598 Words | 7 Pages

Thus, it is possible to say that Hamlet suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder. Another disorder that can be applied to Hamlet is Bipolar Disorder, which often occurs in chronic forms. People who suffer from Bipolar Disorder have depression and manias that strengthen their constant irritation and feelings of sadness and boredom. However, there are two main symptoms that differ bipolar from other mental disorders, which are mania and depression (this may be supplemented by such steps as hallucinations and delusions). Frequently the patient feels that he cannot in any way affect the situation.

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He did not want anyone knowing about his encounter with his father’s ghost. This shows that Hamlet can not be acting mad. Consequently, he believes that one should not perform a role, but actually become the person they 're pretending to be. This shows in his stunt when instead of pretending to be mad, he becomes mad in all

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Hamlet’s depression inhibits his obsession for vengeance due to his inability to take action. Hamlet has suffered emotional trauma and often uses sarcasm to mask his pain. He pokes fun at the situations he’s faced with

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Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of neglecting one's emotional well-being. In conclusion, William Shakespeare's play Hamlet offers a powerful exploration of mental health and its effects on individuals and their families. The characters of Hamlet senior, Hamlet, and Ophelia all grapple with trauma and the thin line between sanity and

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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

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In William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, Hamlet assumes the disguise of a man that has lost his mind. Hamlet uses this madness to masquerade around in such a way as to not draw attention to his true plan, to avenge his murdered father. Many readers debate as to whether Hamlet is truly mad, or whether he is fully aware of his actions and what he is doing. However, both sides of the debate can agree that Hamlet’s apparent madness is a key element of the play, Hamlet. There are many reasons as to why readers debate Hamlet’s madness.

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451 Words | 2 Pages

In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet, there are a series of events that causes Hamlet to act abnormally. He has to deal with his father’s death, mother’s remarriage, and his lover Ophelia. However, it is often argued whether Hamlet’s madness is real or fake. Throughout the tragedy, he is over-exaggerating his madness for his plan of revenge.

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1004 Words | 5 Pages

A select few scholars believe that Hamlet is not pretending to be mad, but in reality is insane. Hamlet reveals his insanity through his strange behavior toward others. Dr. Simon A. Blackmore claims, “The Real or Assumed Madness of Hamlet” in Shakespearean Online that Hamlet is insane because of the fact that he is able to see a ghost while others cannot (215). Dr. Blackmore in The Real or Assumed... also asserts that in Act III, scene IV, the instance when Hamlet is in Gertrude chamber and Hamlet states to Gertrude that he see a ghost.

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