Реферат: Is Hamlet Loony Essay Research Paper Throughout

a living person, and uses the play as a tool against Claudius.

Hamlet, once having decided to kill Claudius, becomes less disturbed and more

scheming. Being classified as mad by Polonius only provides Hamlet with the time

essential to perfecting his plan. Ironically, it is Ophelia , not Hamlet, who becomes mad in

the traditional sense, and terminally so. Hamlet’s confusion becomes an obsessive

determination to enact revenge, in which he demonstrates his passion and vitality, and also

selfishness over the murder of Polonius, and his harsh treatment of Ophelia. His ‘friends’

Rosencrantz and Guildernstern become his enemies, and he appears increasingly isolated

as the play progresses, perhaps as a result of his obsessions while plotting his actions. As

Claudius schemes with Laertes in his customary way, Hamlet is also scheming as we see in

this full change in his personality. Ultimately however, Hamlet’s simplistic scheming is no

match for Claudius’ but Hamlet achieves the revenge he aimed for. Laertes becomes a

more decisive Hamlet who is quick to avenge his father, demonstrating none of the

procrastination Hamlet might be said to.

It would be wrong to say that Hamlet is mad. He is confused, unsettled, then

determined, clever and courageous: an impression that Shakespeare confirms by

developing contrasts between his and Laertes’ courage, Ophelia’s madness and

Claudius’ scheming. While he may not develop into the picture of a hero, he also does not

fit the mold of a madman.