Hamlet Case

Shakespeare is known as one of the greatest writers of all time. His complex writing and knack for putting ironic situations together make him not only a great writer, but also a brilliant man. Although the character traits of Hamlet change throughout the play, they are all very distinctive according to who Hamlet is with and what his surroundings are. The play also deals with different themes such as death, relationships, and several character traits of Hamlet.

Many readers perceive Hamlet to be mad, but in actuality he knows what he is doing throughout the whole play, and his madness is really an act. As Robert Ornstein states in "The Defense of Hamlet," Hamlet is continuously doing things throughout the play that prove the innocence of his madness. Hamlet's delay in killing Claudius proves he is not mad because any madman would just kill out of revenge instead of thinking about the consequences (138). If Hamlet genuinely has something wrong with him, he would not be able to think through things, and plan his actions out the way he does. Hamlet mocks many people throughout the play, He is commonly skeptic about what is going on, and he is always aware of the change taking place around him (Utter 140). He is a very smart young man, who knows what he wants and knows how to react to others. Hamlet is also a very black and white character with high values, for instance, when his mother gets married right after his father's death, Hamlet thinks that is wrong and unjust (Utter 140). Shakespeare knows what he was doing when he thought up Hamlet, he made Hamlet a very respectable young man that stood up for what he believed in, even if that meant negotiating his true character. "He is head and shoulders above his age in moral stature and that he is sensitive about moral issues that others are insensitive to. He thus stands alone, a man ahead of his time, as Shakespeare was ahead of his." (Utter 140) Shakespeare was indeed ahead of his time; he wrote some of the most problematic plays written, even today. Some questions from readers will never be fully answered in Hamlet, but Hamlets "madness" is easily claimed as a front. The fact that Hamlet struggles throughout the play proves he is not mad because he does not want to do the wrong thing. Although, he does almost lose his sanity when he almost gives into his "lower nature" after he finds out his uncle is definitely guilty of his father's death (Utter 141). For Hamlet to react in a rash way is very understandable since his father's death was finally labeled a murder, but even after he finds out about the murder he does not become 'mad'.

Hamlet starts reacting in very rash terms once Ophelia, his love, comes into the picture. Harold C. Goddard writes in "Hamlet to Ophelia," that it is known that Hamlet starts playing the madman after his love letter has been written to Ophelia (404). After Hamlet realizes that one girl can change his character so quickly, he figures out that he is to do something about his relationship with her. Ophelia really brings out Hamlet's character in so many ways. It is through her that he finally reveals who he really is, and the reader can finally start making connections to his personality. "Hamlet, recognizing that love and vengeance cannot keep company, set out deliberately to be as unlike himself as he could and sent the letter to Ophelia with the express purpose of alienating her affection." (Goddard 405) Through this, it is found that Hamlet has a very affectionate personality. He loves his father and mother very much that he gives everything he has and everything he knows of himself to his father. He is also very affectionate to Ophelia; he loves her so much he is scared to get close to her. He does not want anyone knowing his true affection for her; he even has to lie to himself. Since Ophelia's relationship with Hamlet seems to play a big part on his "madness", their relationship has been studied continuously. In his journal "Teaching Hamlet" Kenneth Myrick said, from Ophelia's own mouth, it is found that Hamlet loves her. Also, Hamlet's reaction to finding out Ophelia is dead shows his true affection for her (221). Although Hamlet is a very affectionate character, none of his companions pick up on this part of his personality.

Hamlet is brought forth in many situations that make him feel uncomfortable or distant. Hamlet knows what is going on when his uncle sends him away. He is very keen on his surroundings and who is actually on his side. Throughout the play there are many abnormal situations that occur, and Hamlet is the only known person to react normally to these circumstances (Myrick 223). Hamlet has to portray that he is 'mad' to get even with his uncle and to protect Ophelia. When it comes to his fathers ghost, "It seems likely, therefore, that Hamlet assumes madness because he thinks he can avoid answering awkward questions more easily if he is believed to be mad than if he is considered wholly responsible" (Myrick