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Essay Archive - Madness in Shakespeare's Hamlet
Madness in Shakespeare's Hamlet
Madness may be "mental incapacity caused by an unmentionable
injury." Such wounds often are not easily perceived but may be revealed in
time of stress. Hamlet's question, "have you a daughter?"(Act II. Sc2
182) Polonius about the Prince's emotional state. What is hidden will
surely be told to Cloudius by his adviser. Laertes' search for revenge is
sharper proof that madness in degrees of publicity causes harm to the
observers. Claudius promise "no wind of blame"(Act IV, Sc.7,66) once
Laertes kills Hamlet; perhaps this is what the uncle has sought all along
for hi....
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