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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 5 page paper which examines the function of Hamlet’s madness in William Shakespeare’s tragedy, in terms of himself and the play. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: TG15_TGhamletmad.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
tragedy, there are two characters that appear to have lost their sanity. First, there is Hamlets lover, the child-like Ophelia, whose madness occurs after her father Polonius and brother
Laertes persuade her to alienate the Danish princes affections. This is followed shortly thereafter by Hamlets slaying of her Polonius. According to Hamlet critic W. Thomas MacCary, her
fathers murder represents Ophelias "final break with reality" (113). Her madness is a form of protest against injustice, a protective barrier against a life gone horribly out of control.
But what inspires Hamlets madness? Unfortunately, its root cause and the way it functions both in terms of himself and the play isnt nearly so clear-cut. First, it
might be helpful to consider his madness from a creative perspective. William Shakespeare was a master at literary construction, and in all of his works, "Structure appears in the
underlying purpose and cohesion" (Levy 218). As Polonius astutely observed of Hamlet, "Though this be madness, yet there is method in t" (II.ii.219-220). Shakespeare may have elected to
employ the theme of madness because it served as an excellent plot device. By pretending to be mad, Hamlet could effectively carry out his plan of revenge against Claudius
without arousing suspicion. Hamlets madness is responsible for bringing the play to its tragic climax (the showdown between Laertes and Hamlet and Hamlet and Claudius) and also has deadly
consequences on everyone around him, which emphasizes the tragic theme. Madness was a popular literary device during Shakespeares time, and the Bard utilized it to its maximum artistic advantage.
Critic Gene Fendt wrote in his consideration of Hamlet, "Shakespeare takes an old dramatic trick and... makes it psychologically revelatory and believable" (54). The function of Hamlets madness
...