Hamlet - Was Prince Hamlet Wacko? :: essays research papers

In Shakespeares " small(a) town", the main character offers a mystify and ambiguous persona. Throughout the play, village often contradicts himself. He seems to balance the virtues of " vie a role", with being true to himself. Further proof of these contrast personas are demonstrated by his actions and inactions. The ambiguity noted here, lies in both conflicting mannerisms displayed by the young small town One that is perfectly compose and rational and another which displays madness. These conflicting behaviors are related within Hamlets cozy struggle-to kill Claudius for revenge of his fathers murder or act responsibly, and await get on proof of Claudius guilt. Throughout the play, Hamlet teeters on the brink of insanity generate by his actions, or inactions.Hamlets sanity is clarified, in the first act, by statements and feelings show within his dialogue. When asked about his depressed appearance and demeanor by Gertrude, Hamlet replies, "Seems, mada m? Nay, it is. I recognize not "seems" (1037, line 76). This relates the idea that Hamlet is what he appears to be. Later, he clearly makes a statement about his moral health when he commits himself to avenge his fathers murder. This quote allows the reader to follow Hamlets give lessons of thought in regards to his role as student, mourning son, and Prince to the throne"Ill mop away all trivial fond records, All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past That youth and observation copied there, And thy commandment all alone shall watch Within the book and volume of my brain" (1054, line 100). Hamlet is stating his finale commitment to nothing short of revenge of his fathers death. At this juncture in the play, there is little doubt about his state of mind, or intentions. However, the neighboring act belies Hamlets sanity and reason.In act two, Hamlet appears again, although it now becomes unmistakable he has lost the conviction he demonstrated earlier-to c omplete his requirement as prescribed by the ghost of his father. During this act, Hamlet spends most of his age reading and talking with Polonius, Guildenstern, Rosencrantz, and the players. Not until the very end of this second act, does Hamlet refer to his filial duty to avenge his father. Instead of carrying out the caboodle described by his fathers spirit-role of the vengeful son-Hamlet exhibits insane behaviors. This is illustrated by his statements to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, "I know not-lost my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises..." (1071, line 282).