From the beginning of the play, it becomes apparent to the reader that Hamlet suffers from melancholy following the death of his father. After analyzing the different beliefs on what causes madness and the available treatments in the Elizabethan era, it can be understood why Shakespeare chooses to use the ghost the drive Hamlet mad. As it was established under the causes tab, the people of the era believed strongly in demonic possession and spirits as being a main cause of madness. Shakespeare uses this idea in Hamlet, as his internal debate on whether the ghost he saw was actually his father, or if it was a demon, is what drove Hamlet mad.
We can also see madness within Hamlet by the way Hamlet acts, and by the way he speaks on his overall outlook on the world. Once everyone within society had moved on from the kings death and he was still extremely heartbroken, he felt isolated in society, and alone in the world. Hamlet yells out "How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of the world!" (Shakespeare 1.ii.133-134). This quote by Hamlet highlights his outlook on life as being both useless and stale, which are contributions of his apparent melancholy following the kings death.
An example that highlights Hamlet's depression as a result of the illness occurs after Hamlet speaks with Claudius and his mother regarding his father's death, learning quickly they had already gotten over his father's death and moved on. Upon learning this, Hamlet's demeanor immediately changes as he becomes extremely depressed and self-hateful. Upon Claudius' and his Mothers exeunt, Hamlet says, "O that this too sullied flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew" (1.ii. 129-130). This quotation clearly highlights the fact that Hamlet has no self worth and see's himself as simply something that will decompose itself into nothing.
The last example of Hamlet's melancholy that highlights his skepticism occurs when Claudius is informed on Hamlet's strange behaviour, and sends Guildenstern and Rosencrantz to evaluate Hamlet. Although Guildenstern and Rosencrantz are friends of Hamlet, he immediately grows suspicious of their true intentions. Hamlet asks, "Were you not sent for? Is it your own inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come, come, deal justly with me: come, come; nay, speak" (2.ii. 275-277). Hamlet's skepticism highlights yet another believed symptom of melancholy in the Elizabethan Era (Literary Articles).
To conclude, the Elizabethan idea of madness is extremely apparent within Hamlet. He shows many of the believed symptoms of melancholy, and believed strongly in the idea of demonic possession or manipulation.
We can also see madness within Hamlet by the way Hamlet acts, and by the way he speaks on his overall outlook on the world. Once everyone within society had moved on from the kings death and he was still extremely heartbroken, he felt isolated in society, and alone in the world. Hamlet yells out "How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of the world!" (Shakespeare 1.ii.133-134). This quote by Hamlet highlights his outlook on life as being both useless and stale, which are contributions of his apparent melancholy following the kings death.
An example that highlights Hamlet's depression as a result of the illness occurs after Hamlet speaks with Claudius and his mother regarding his father's death, learning quickly they had already gotten over his father's death and moved on. Upon learning this, Hamlet's demeanor immediately changes as he becomes extremely depressed and self-hateful. Upon Claudius' and his Mothers exeunt, Hamlet says, "O that this too sullied flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew" (1.ii. 129-130). This quotation clearly highlights the fact that Hamlet has no self worth and see's himself as simply something that will decompose itself into nothing.
The last example of Hamlet's melancholy that highlights his skepticism occurs when Claudius is informed on Hamlet's strange behaviour, and sends Guildenstern and Rosencrantz to evaluate Hamlet. Although Guildenstern and Rosencrantz are friends of Hamlet, he immediately grows suspicious of their true intentions. Hamlet asks, "Were you not sent for? Is it your own inclining? Is it a free visitation? Come, come, deal justly with me: come, come; nay, speak" (2.ii. 275-277). Hamlet's skepticism highlights yet another believed symptom of melancholy in the Elizabethan Era (Literary Articles).
To conclude, the Elizabethan idea of madness is extremely apparent within Hamlet. He shows many of the believed symptoms of melancholy, and believed strongly in the idea of demonic possession or manipulation.