Hamlet :: essays research papers

Great literary works retain their popularity as a proceeds of many different factors. One such factor which can lead to popularity of a work, current or consistent discussion of a works merits, can fall down into play when an author or playwright leaves questions unanswered in his work. In ham permit, William Shakespeare creates such a situation. As a result of the ambiguity of clues given throughout this play, critics may argue for or against the idea that Prince Hamlets "antic disposition" put on as a facade to mislead the royal family pales in resemblance to the disposition of Hamlets lunatic mind, or in other words, that Hamlet in fact truly succumbs to insanity. Evidence for this opinion can be derived from Hamlets erratic vagary changes, careless slaughter of those not directly involved in the murder of his father, and interactions with the ghost of King Hamlet.For a man thought to be feigning insanity, Prince Hamlet seems to have very little control of his emotio ns. In fact, Hamlet admits this to Horatio, his confidant, when he says, "Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting / That would not let me sleep" (5.2. lines 4-5). This lack of restraint leads to Hamlets unpredictable mood swings throughout the play. Hamlets relationship with Ophelia easily spawns such dramatic alterations in the princes attitude. For example, when Hamlet first suspects Ophelia acts only as the pawn for Poloniuss ploys, he reacts rashly, bitterly denying that he ever loved her. "You should not have believed me, for virtue cannot so / inoculate our old stock, but we shall relish of it. I loved / you not" (3.1.117-19). This massive reversal in disposition is later contrasted by another reversal when Hamlet leaps into Ophelias open grave at her funeral to dissension Laertes and claim, "I loved Ophelia, forty thousand brothers / Could not with all their quantity of love / Make up my sum" (5.1.252-54). These abrupt mood changes also come in in Hamlets relationship with his mother. He seemed to believe in his mothers purity and goodness, but eventually Hamlet seems to hold a great mount of contempt for Gertrude, especially when he mocks her words, and then snidely proclaims "You are the queen, your husbands brothers wife, / And would it were not so, you are my mother" (3.4.15-16). Such mood swings as these definitely prove, if anything, that Hamlet could not keep equal control of his emotions.