HAMLET
Agustín Schwazenberg
Maximiliano Castañeda
1ºA
14-06-2024
The madness in "Hamlet" is a central theme that Shakespeare uses to explore
truth and morality. From the moment the king's ghost reveals his murder, the prince
decides to deceive about his madness. This decision is a deliberate tactic to
protect himself and unravel the corruption at the “king” of Denmark. Hamlet himself
says at the beginning of the play, "To put an antic disposition on," indicating his
intention to feign madness.
However, as the plot progresses, the distinction between feigned and real madness
becomes blurred. Hamlet is consumed by melancholy and despair, reflected in his
famous monologue "To be or not to be". This reflection on life and death shows the
depth of his inner conflict and his distorted perception of reality. Hamlet's madness
is not only a strategy, but also a manifestation of his pain and his struggle to
understand the injustice that surrounds him.
While Hamlet's madness may be considered an understandable response to
betrayal and murder, his resulting actions are deeply reprehensible. His treatment
of Ophelia is a clear example. By rejecting her and speaking cruelly to her, he
drives her to despair, which ultimately leads to her tragic death. Hamlet's words,
"Get to a convent," are not only hurtful, but also demonstrate a lack of regard for
Ophelia's feelings and the consequences of his own behavior.
The death of Polonius is another tragic consequence of Hamlet's behavior. By
accidentally killing him, Hamlet not only causes the death of an innocent, but
triggers a series of events that lead to further tragedy. Hamlet's lack of immediate
remorse for this action shows a troubling disconnect between his intentions and his
actions.
The confrontation with Laertes is the culmination of the consequences of Hamlet's
actions. Laertes, who seeks revenge for the death of his father and sister, has
legitimate reasons to hate Hamlet. The destruction caused by Hamlet affects not
only his enemies, but also his friends and loved ones, demonstrating that his quest
for revenge is destructive and tragic.
Throughout the play, Hamlet commits several illicit acts that demonstrate an
alarming lack of ethics. From his decision to feign madness to his most violent
actions, Hamlet shows a disregard for rules and morals. His manipulation of
Ophelia's feelings, his aggressive confrontation with his mother, and the murder of
Polonius are clear examples of this.
Furthermore, Hamlet is shown to be willing to use deception and betrayal to
achieve his goals. His use within the play to unmask Claudius is ingenious, but
also evidences his penchant for manipulating others regardless of the
consequences. Hamlet also participates in the conspiracy of Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern, manipulating the king's letters to ensure his own survival at the
expense of his former friends, condemning them to certain death.
These actions not only reflect a lack of ethics, but also underscore Hamlet's
transformation into someone who is willing to sacrifice morality for revenge. His
behavior highlights a profound contradiction: while he seeks justice for his father,
he perpetuates a cycle of betrayal and death, compromising his own principles.
