Mental Illness In Hamlet

Throughout reading the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, we begin with tragedy. The old King Hamlet dies, and Hamlet is devastated. Oddly enough, Claudius gains the throne having no empathy towards his brother’s death. Hamlet has a bold notion to investigate who has commit such a crime. Not only creating an elaborate play, but also pretending to be insane. Some may claim it to be exceptional acting, although on a deeper level, there may be some hidden madness sustained by Hamlet’s current mental health. Within Hamlet, there is a significant change throughout Hamlet's personality. He undergoes trauma after his father’s obliteration, and is stuck in curiosity as to who did such a thing. Hamlet decides to advance a mission in finding the

Like stated in the play, “But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue.” (ACTI; SC.2 line 164), this shows the pain he has developed. Hamlet is determined to put his heart into finding out the truth behind his father's death. Due to Claudius showing suspicion within this situation after gaining his brothers throne, Hamlet decides to investigate further. While reconnoitering, he decides to put on an act in which he pretends to be insane, changing his entire lifestyle. He leaves Ophelia, his significant other, and designs a play to reveal the truth. “A bloody deed-- almost as bad good mother, as kill a king and marry his brother!”(ACT III; SC. 4). Within this quote, in the the same scene where the first death by Hamlet occurs, demonstrates the hate and anger within Hamlet. A switch occurs between the act and identifying as true madness in this exact scene. Hamlet speaks to his mother normally, but his sanity lasts only until his

This statement is false. If he weren't insane he would likely have moments throughout the play where he isn’t showing complete insanity, and the evolution of this madness increases and climaxes at the very end of the play, with no scene releasing him from this curse. Some may also can argue that Hamlet does not have a mental illness which backs up the claim he is only acting this insanity. Before the play(the one in which Hamlet is producing) it is known Hamlet comes to the conclusion he will pretend to be mad in hopes to catch Claudius red handed more precisely. Although it is stated within the play he is “acting mad” it is not the entire play. Yes at this point of the play, Hamlet is acting his insanity. The issue with this insanity being acted out the entire play is the rate of inflation, and brutality. If Hamlet were acting this out he would not go as far as murdering innocent lives in doing so completely sane. People may argue he does not have depression or PTSD. You can argue that this was all a part of the act. 16 million Americans have depression according to 2012 statistics, this is normal malfunctions within neurotransmitters in everyday plebeian who have not experienced the trauma Hamlet has. As for PTSD he experiences major trauma in which drives him to do things that he wouldn't do if these