Find lines in Act II that reveal Hamlet's psychological state. They may be lines spoken by Hamlet, or by others. Consider how the character's perspective might shape the way s/he sees Hamlet's (or his own) psychological state. What meaning do you make of his psychological state?
"What it should be, more than his father's death, that thus hath put him so much fri th' understanding of himself of himself I cannot dream of." - King Claudius, lines 7-10
ReplyDelete"Heavens make our presence and our practices pleasant and helpful to him!" - Guilderstern, lines 40-41
"And I do think, or else this brain of mine hunts not the trail of policy so sure as it hath used to do, that I have found the very cause of Hamlet's lunacy." - Polonius, lines 49-52
"I am mad but north-north-west. When the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw." - Hamlet, 402-403
King Claudius and Guilderstern definitely seem Hamlet from the same perspective, because Claudius told Guilderstern what he thought of Hamlet's state. Claudius is convinced that Hamlet is depressed because of the death of his father, but I don't think he much considers his marriage to be part of Hamlet's grief. I think Gertrude takes that into consideration, because she knows her son better. Polonius is biased because of what Ophelia says, that he is in love with her. Seeing that Hamlet is in a vulnerable state, Polonius wants to take advantage of him.
I think the most interesting line was from Hamlet himself. I wasn't sure exactly what he meant by only being angry when the wind is in certain directions, but I don't think it's supposed to be a literal analogy. I think there are times when Hamlet is on his own, or with Claudius and Gertrude, or with the ghost, that he views his situation differently. Around some people, a different light is shed on his frame of mind and he is level-headed, though when he is around Claudius especially, he loses his inhibitions.
I think that for the most part, Hamlet is angry, not sad or confused. He knows that is father is dead and he can not change that. He knows that his uncle and mother married to keep the royal blood in the family. He now knows how his father was killed. I'm sure he would like to know why, but I think his struggle is what to do with his anger.
"I will be brief: your noble son is mad. mad call I it, for, to define true madness, what is ’t but to be nothing else but mad?" - Polonius 94-96
ReplyDelete"You cannot, sir, take from me any thing that I will more willingly part withal—except my life, except my life, except my life." - Hamlet 205-207
"I have of late—but wherefore I know not—lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises, and indeed it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory" - Hamlet 295-299
I am sure that Rosencrantz and Guilderstern are convinced that Hamlet has gone mental. They were asked to watch over him because he was acting different, and Hamlet admitted to them that he has gone mad. I think that Rosencrantz and Guilderstern are just trying to make sure Hamlet is safe by this point. Polonius' view of Hamlet is mostly based on what his daughter has shown and told him. It is for this reason that he is absolutely sure that Hamlet has gone crazy over Ophelia's rejection. Polonius even bet his career over this assumption, when in fact Hamlet says that neither men nor women interest him anymore. Polonius fails tho see this because he maintains a very narrow perspective of Hamlet.
I think Hamlet is being confronted by various emotions and he cannot figure out how to cope with them. He is disgusted with his mother, but still loves her. He wants to exact revenge on Claudius, but he is not even sure that Claudius did in fact kill his father. The confusion on what choices to makes is what is causing him to lose a grip on his sanity.
"I did repel his letters and denied his access to me" - Ophelia, act 2 scene 1 lines 106
ReplyDelete"That hath made him mad"- Polonius, act 2 scene 1 line 107
Everyone thinks Hamlet is insane. At the same time, the true cause of his emotional instability is anybody's guess. Polonius thinks it is because Hamlet is in love with Ophelia. We the audience know about his encounter with the ghost and his oath of vengeance, but the other characters don't. These lines are also the start of a mini crusade to find out the reason for Hamlets strange behavior. Later on in the play, Claudius will use Hamlets best friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in order to seek the truth, while Polonius will use Ophelia as a vehicle to find out what "hath made him mad." Everyone uses deception in order to seek the truth when in actuality, Hamlet is decieving them. He is using insanity as a ploy in order to create confusion and only at the opportune time will he seek revenge because if he just comes out and calls Claudius a murderer no one will believe him.
Guildenstern- Prison, my lord!
ReplyDeleteHamlet- Denmark's a prison!
Rosencrantz- Then is the world one?
Hamlet- A goodly one, in which there are many confines, wards and dungeons, Denmark being one o' the worst.
Rosencrantz- We think no so, my lord.
Hamlet- Why, then, 'tis none to you; for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. To me it is a prison.
*For some reason in the my book these lines aren't in it but online these lines are there...
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are clearly taken aback by what Hamlet is saying. They are confused to why he seems so miserable. It is interesting how Hamlet replies in such long sentences and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern can barely say six words before Hamlet cuts in to say something more pessimistic about how he sees the world and his kingdom. As friends of Hamlet's who probably know him from school probably know him as happier playful enthusiastic guy. Hamlet clearly gets passionate about everything and so I'm sure if he had something to be happy about he'd be just as passionate about happiness as he is about his misery. I think when Hamlet says that Denmark/the world is a prison he thinks that he is trapped. He doesn't know whether to end his life and get rid of all the pain and misery or remain living and try to fix things but possibly fail and continue feeling miserable. But specifically Denmark at this point in time now is a prison where he is trapped surrounded by Claudius, Gertrude, Barnardo, Ofeilia,and the Ghost. Each person pushes him in a different direction when it comes to deciding what to do.
"I will be brief: your noble son is mad. mad call I it, for, to define true madness, what is ’t but to be nothing else but mad?" - Polonius 92-94
ReplyDeleteAnd he repelled, a short tale to make, fell into sadness, then into a fast, thence to a watch, thence into a weakness, thence to lightness, and by this declension into the madness wherein now he raves and all we mourn for
Polonius 143-148
You cannot take from me anything that I will not more willingly part withal- except my life, except my life, except my life
Hamlet 210-212
And yet to me what is the quintessence of dust? Man delights not me-nor women neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so.
-Hamlet
"Why, what an ass am I: this is most brave, that I, the son of a dear murdered, prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, must like a whore unpack my heart with words
-Hamlet, 517-520
Polonius's views on Hamlet are mostly shaped by what Ophelia has told him. He does not want Hamlet and his daughter to end up together, so he tries to make Hamlet seem insane. Polonius says Hamlet became sad, didn't eat, couldn't sleep, was lightheaded, and then finally went crazy.
Hamlet is angry that his uncle killed his father. He wants to get revenge, but cannot do so at this moment, which is why he has to "unpack his heart with words" like a whore. He can't physically get revenge on Claudius yet. He is upset with his mother for marrying his uncle, and calls Claudius "uncle-father" and his mother "aunt-mother." Hamlet says people don't interest him, which contradicts how he acted towards Ophelia. He might be trying to deceive certain people.
"Polonius: The actors are come hither, my lord.
ReplyDeleteHamlet:Buzz Buzz.....
Hamlet:Then came each actor on his ass"
329-332
"Hamlet:... My good friends, I'll leave you till night. You are welcome to Elsinore"
481
I find Hamlet's pychological state, because I think he shows certain emotions to certain characters. Hamlet gives Polonuis alot of sarcasm and does not seem to want to be bothered by what he has to say. When Hamlet speaks to the actors he is very kind and treats them well by welcoming them to Elsinore. I think it is hard to truly tell whether Hamlet is emotional stable or not, becaause he is inconsistant with his emotions. To Polonuis and his uncle Hamlet seems depressed and not wanting to be bothered. With the death of his father this is understandable, but in particular his uncle wants him to forgot abou the death and move and can offer one reason why Hamlet is sour.I think Hamlet acts only this way with people he does not like and that is why there perspective is skewed.
296 – 300
ReplyDelete“I know not, lost all my mirth, forgone all custom
Of exercises; and indeed it goes so heavily with my
Disposition that this goodly frame the earth seems to
Me a sterile promontory, this most excellent canopy…”
Notes: “ goes… disposition” I am so depressed. Hamlet’s description of his melancholy gathers together some classical commonplaces, and makes of them new and uniquely powerful account of his state of mind.”
Hamlet is depressed because no matter “what piece of work is a man, how noble in reason….(303 – 307) – “man delights not me – nor woman neither”. His reasoning behind this is that we all are going to turn into dust (“what is this quintessence of dust?” <line 308).
However, Polonius thinks that Hamlet is depressed because he is desperately in love with his daughter Ophelia:
(147-50)
“Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,
thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,
thence to a lightness, and, by this declension,
into the madness wherein now he raves”
According to Polonius, this depression led Hamlet to insanity.
This psychological state of Hamlet reflects his complex ideas and understanding of existentialism and views about a human being. He is a genius and thus, his ideas are too difficult to understand for people like Polonius, so he calls him mad.
"Of Hamlet's transformation - so call it sith no th'exterior nor the inward man resembles that it was. What it should be more than his father's death, that thus hath put him so much from th'understanding of himself I cannot dream of." King Claudius 2.2.5-10
ReplyDelete"your noble son is mad. Mad I call it, for to define true madness, what is't but to be nothing else but mad? " 2.2.92-94 Polonius
"Madam, I swear I use no art at all. That he's mad, 'tis true, 'tis true 'tis pity, and pity 'tis 'tis true: a foolish figure! " 2.2.95-98 Polonius
Whether or not he actually is, Hamlet is giving off the impression that he is mad and multiple people believe it. Guildenstern and Rosencrantz were told to look after Hamlet so they must assume something is wrong with him. Polonius is dramatic with his descriptions of how mad Hamlet is but it is fitting because he does not wish his daughter to end up with Hamlet. Polonius depicts Hamlet as mad and says that all Hamlet is is mad and this proves his utter madness. King Claudius feels Hamlet has been put into some state and the only explanation is because of his father's death.
ACT II Sc. 2
ReplyDelete"Polonius: Will you walk out of the air, my lord? Hamlet: Into my grave. Polonius:Indeed, that is out o' the air. (Aside) How pregnant sometimes his replies are! A happiness that often madness hits on, which reason and sanity could not so prosperously be delivered of.
...
Hamlet: You cannot, sir, take from me any thing that I will more willingly part withal, except my life, except my life, except my life."
In this exchange between Polonius and Hamlet. Polonius recognizes that Halmet has a lot of meaning in what he is saying and that a lack of sanity could not produce such responses. Despite this, he also recognizes the fact that he's not ok either. Something is definitely wrong. Halmet, in the next line comments on how he can't really steals something from him that he would give up. He finishes it by repeating, "except my life." This is really important. This, I feel, is very revealing about his mental state. In the context of this line, it appears that Hamlet may actually want to give up his life. The repeating nature of it comes off as almost a pondering, that in that moment, he is questioning whether he wants to live or not. What makes this even more striking is that he is doing this in front of Polonius, who he knows reports back to his parents. Maybe Hamlet wants people to think he is suicidal and crazy or he really is, but having that kind of thought so public is also a bit of a problem. It suggests that Hamlet isn't really scared of the matter and he is a bit comfortable with the topic. That is not healthy and shows that Hamlet is in a dark place right now.
"He took me by the wrist and held me har,...he raised a sigh so piteous and profound" 84-91
ReplyDelete"Doubt thou the stars are fire, ...Thine evermore, most dear lady, whilst this machine is to him. Hamlet." 114-121
"What piece of work is a man-how noble in reason; how ...Man delights not me-nor women neither." 269-275
"Am I a coward?...The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King." 506-540
These lines reflect the inner conflicts and struggles of Hamlet. And I particularly question whether the love letter was written out of Hamlet's sincerity or just an approach to prove his pretension--being insane. Obviously his strategy worked in this case, at least belying Polonius who believed that Hamlet's madness was from Ophelia's rejection other than else reasons. But in Hamlet's speech, that he said in depression about the insensible world; he compared the world to dust and thus being meaningless, and then commenting "Man delights not me-nor women neither", which seemed not to justify his action of mad love towards Ophelia, unless it was designated to be a trick since there was no delight.
On the other hand, Hamlet's behavior can never be simply defined as abnormal as what other people said, ranging from a neutral framing of "transformation", "changed son" to a acrimonious one of "lunacy" and "madness". But this confirms the complexity within Hamlet's psychology. He perhaps found it difficult to balance his inner emotion when everything he did was to cover his real intents to determine whether his uncle murdered his father. This act had to cost Hamlet a lot such as his resigned craziness towards Ophelia, which might lead to misunderstanding and had done so already, if perhaps he was truly in love with her. But if not, Hamlet was simply taking advantage of Ophelia to conceal his real attempt and protected himself from the King.
It's not hard to see how resolute and determined Hamlet was from the last soliloquy that he insisted to take revenge, and all what he had done was a foil. Hamlet was clearly conscious of his plan and mind inside.
"Something have you heard Of Hamlet's transformation - so call it Sith nor th'exterior nor the inward man Resembles that it was. What it should be More than his father's death, that thus hath put him So much from th'understanding of himself I cannot dream of." 2.2.5-2.2.10 King Claudius
ReplyDeleteHere, the King is talking to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet's friends, about Hamlet's transformation. Everyone in the castle is concerned with the change in behavior of Hamlet. This reflects a change in his psychological state. None of these obvious, outward changes would be occurring without a equally important change in his mental state. The King believes that it is caused by his father's death. While this remains to be seen, it is quite obvious that something is affecting him. His psychological state has changed enough to make it noticeable to everyone around him. This is especially significant. He is not even able to contain his emotions. Rather, the King brings in his friends to check up on him and, hopefully, change him. There is a clear change in Hamlet's psychological state.
“Good madam, stay a while. I will be faithful.(reads the letter)
ReplyDelete“Doubt thou the stars are fire,
Doubt that the sun doth move,
Doubt truth to be a liar,
But never doubt I love.
O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers. I have not art to reckon my groans, but that I love thee best, oh, most best, believe it. Adieu.
Thine evermore, most dear lady,
whilst this machine is to him,
Hamlet.”
This in obedience hath my daughter shown me,
And more above, hath his solicitings,
As they fell out by time, by means, and place,
All given to mine ear.” Polonius lines 110-115
It was interesting to read Hamlet focused on Hamlet’s psychological state. Mostly, there were three sides of Hamlet that showed to readers. First, King Claudius and Polonius’ perspectives made Hamlet’s psychological state but usually based on Ophelia’s view. King Claudius and Polonius’ perspectives are that Hamlet is crazy but there are differences. Polonius think that Hamlet is crazy because of his daughter. King Claudius think Hamlet is mad because of his father’s death but there is awkward behavior that is King seems to want to Hamlet to be mad somehow.
“Denmark’s a prison.” Hamlet lines 245
“Anything you like, as long as it answers my question. You were sent for. You’ve got a guilty look on your faces, which you’re too honest to disguise. I know the king and queen sent for you.” Hamlet Lines 280
Second, through Hamlet’s response to Rosencrantz, I could feel how Hamlet think about his land and King and Queen. Mostly, his mind was negative because he used word “prison” and showed dishonest to King and Queen so that answer were quite looks un-Hamlet like. Hamlet might answer to question based on that Rosencrantz will tell King and Queen everything.
Hamlet: "Ay, sir, to be honest as this world goes is to be one man picked out of ten thousand."
ReplyDeletePolonius: "That's very, my lord"
Hamlet: "For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being kissed carrion - have you a daughter"
Page 251 Act 2 Scene 2 Lines 175-179
I believe this exemplifies Hamlet and his unknown psychological state. These lines are from when Hamlet is speaking with Polonius about honesty. When first speaking Hamlet introduces a pessimistic outlook on honesty. But when he continues to talk, it takes on a very dark role. This is something that makes Hamlet appear as crazy or insane. I do not however believe that Hamlet is insane. He sometimes says dark things because that is how he feels, but this does not make him crazy. It makes him angry or upset. A person is crazy, in my opinion, when they do not realize what is actually happening around them. This is not Hamlet. Hamlet understands what is happening around him, he just is emotionally unstable.
Polonius: "I will be brief: your noble son is mad. mad call I it, for, to define true madness, what is ’t but to be nothing else but mad?"
Page 244 Act 2 Scene 2 Lines 91-93
This gives a different view. This gives a view of Polonius while Hamlet is not present. This shows the reader the other people truly believe that Hamlet is crazy. Although this is coming from someone close to Hamlet. I still do not think he is crazy, just misunderstood. Polonius does not understand why Hamlet acts the way he does. But just because Polonius does not understand Hamlet, does not make him crazy.
Polonius:I will be brief: your noble son is mad.
ReplyDeleteMad call I it, for, to define true madness,
What is ’t but to be nothing else but mad?
But let that go.
Take this from this if this be otherwise.
If circumstances lead me, I will find
Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed
Within the center.
Though this be madness, yet there is method in ’t.— Will you walk out of the air, my lord?
Polonius is so sure that Hamlet is mad. He is trying to convince everyone that Hamlet’s craziness is due to his love of his own daughter Ophelia. While he never witnessed the situation that Hamlet and Ophelia even meeting each other, he stubbornly believes in his daughter. He is even willing to give up his life and jobs for his belief. His quotes fully explains how he and how other people will perceive Hamlet’s psychological state; however it is still unclear that whether Hamlet truly like Ophelia or not.
The mental state of Hamlet in Act II of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is that of despondence. He appears to find little satisfaction in life and experiences depression and evidenced by the following statement: “what is this quintessence of dust? man delights not me: no, nor woman neither,.” He states in Act 2 that Denmark is a prison for him indicating that he does not find peace nor comfort in his environment. Some critics believe that Act II is the beginning stages of Hamlet falling into madness/mental illness over the death of his father, his mother’s quick marriage to his uncle, and Hamlet’s sexual desires. At the end of Act 2, Hamlet delivers what is probably his most emotional soliloquy: "Oh, what a rogue and peasant slave am I.
ReplyDelete