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Mental Health In Hamlet Essay

1336 Words6 Pages

Mental health is an essential component of overall well-being, and its importance cannot be overstated. If left unchecked, trauma and emotions can be overwhelming, which can devastate individuals and those around them. This can be seen in Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. The tragic hero and other characters' suddenly acquire stress and it affects their lives drastically. Each character in the play responds to stress and trauma in their own unique way; some can overcome it well, others make it their downfall. William Shakespeare's Hamlet explores the theme of mental health through Hamlet senior, Hamlet's theatrics, and Ophelia, ultimately showcasing Hamlet's journey through madness and his eventual return to sanity by the play's end. Former King …show more content…

The new king, his uncle Claudius, has just married Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, yet he mentions “Hamlet our dear brother's death”. (Shakespeare 1.2.1). The situation sets the stage by starting with an absence of a father figure for Hamlet as well as his uncle marrying Hamlet's mother who was recently widowed. Shortly after this introduction, Hamlet is given word from his friends that a ghost that resembles his father has appeared which prompts the sorrowful character to seek answers. Outside the castle, Hamlet finds the apparition, who speaks about how Claudius is the one who murders him, and wants Hamlet to get revenge. This ordeal confuses and enrages Hamlet where he beckons, “O all you host of heaven! O Earth! what else?/ and shall I couple hell?” (1.5.92-93). This confrontation between father and son has Hamlet questioning the heavens, the earth, hell, and even his own mind due to the fact he saw a ghost, let alone his father as an apparition. After the first act is when Hamlet’s madness starts to set in, he doesn't know what to believe anymore and has to deal with the mental consequences of acting on vengeance. When Hamlet decides to confront his mother, the occurrence of this ghost appearing before him is repeated. While he conveys his anger towards his …show more content…

Through their stories, the play portrays Hamlet's descent into madness and his eventual restoration to sanity by the end of the play. Hamlet is haunted by his father and the task he is given by him, his ghostly presence and vengeance serve as a catalyst for the play's exploration of the tragic hero’s mental health and its effects on individuals and their families. Hamlet's erratic behavior and feigned madness are his attempts to cope with the trauma of his father's murder and the events that follow while confusing his enemies. Through his speeches and actions, the play highlights the thin line between sanity and madness, and the toll that emotional turmoil can take on the human psyche. Ophelia's descent into madness after the death of her father showcases the devastating effects of trauma and the lack of support for those struggling with mental health. 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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