William Shakespeare s Hamlet - 1732 Words

Often, and justly, referred to as the greatest story to have ever been told, Shakespeare’s Hamlet never ceases to cause debate amongst two individuals. The complexity within the play’s characters allows every individual to perceive a different variation of them, instigating these endless debates. Consequently, one of the most famous debates, questioning Hamlet’s antic disposition, has split the population into those that believe he was not mad, merely acting, and others who believe he had gone completely mad and his occasional â€Å"sane† episodes were just a coping mechanism to deal with the insanity. Standing with the latter side, my perception on the play is somewhat different as I believe that Hamlet’s vulnerability had exceeded not just to†¦show more content†¦It is evident Hamlet has lost the will to live and engage in worldly affairs, even prior to his encounter with the ghost, wishing â€Å"that this too-solid flesh would melt.â₠¬  The death of his father led Hamlet on a mournful path, but it was the betrayal felt by his mother’s actions, through her â€Å"o’er hasty marriage† with Claudius, which stimulates his melancholy. Consequently, he begins to explore human nature in more depth, but his findings, all partial to his pessimistic outlooks, only show him a reflection of his thoughts. In the midst of this court of distrust, Hamlet’s accelerating descent is halted by the arrival of Horatio who provides him with something else to focus on as opposed to his thoughts contemplating suicide. The entry of a loyal friend, from before the events leading to his depression, provides Hamlet an infallible companion whom he can rely upon and confide in as his distrust in humanity within the Danish court continues to expand. Throughout the whole play, Hamlet’s trust in Horatio and his loyalty is never seen deviating, but as their interactions increase, he begins to see Horatio as the person he used to be, the best version of himself. Taking into account that his low self-esteem has been present from his first appearance, it is tangible that along with his growing distrust in others, is his growing distrust within himself. An individual who was once