A Kind of Fighting that Would Not Let Me

Sleep: The Overwhelming and Unending

Battle Between Mania and Sanity in William
Shakespeares The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince
of Denmark

Grace Wynkoop / Red - H / May 19th, 2016

Thesis: In Shakespeare's The Tragedy Of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark,

Shakespeare creates the theme of reality versus uncertainty to demonstrate that
although Hamlet initially feigns his insanity to trap Claudius and Gertrude in
their lies, his madness becomes real as he questions the ghosts validity and
intentions; therefore, Hamlet's paranoia blurs his objectivity and his inability to
distinguish between reality and illusion contribute to his downfall.

Abstract
In William Shakespeares The Tragedy Of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Hamlet
fakes his own madness and lies to his uncle, emphasising the theme of
deception. Shakespeare does not determine the source of Hamlets insanity, if the
ghost causes mania, or if his mental instability produces a hallucination and this
ambiguity supports the theme of uncertainty. Hamlet speaks in riddles to initially
hide his falsity, but the riddle consistently mask his transition from feigned
madness to complete insanity. Hamlets insanity infects Ophelia after she blames
herself for the madness yet she cannot target what actions caused the mental
change. When Hamlet tests Gertrudes loyalty, he proves that Gertrude values the
her social status and her monarchys appearance over the her familial
relationships

What I learned?

When supporting your thesis, each sandwich must support the

same argument but they cannot have the same meaning and
become repetitive.
A good quote can make or break your zesty title.
Successful analysis can be argued for or against but plot summary
cannot.

How I expanded my understanding of Hamlet?

Many of the characters intentions are not definite and can be

interpreted in a way that is supported by your evidence.
The footnotes translate Shakespearean words and phrases to help
the reader understand why a characters makes their choices.
When writing an introduction, you must be broad with the span of
topics and have them relate to your thesis, without being vague.

What conclusions did I draw?

Shakespeare uses puns often to show sarcasm or intention, but the

interpretation of these is up to the reader.
In a tragedy, most characters must die but the method of death
must vary; there cannot be too many suicides or stabbings.
External conflict can be made and resolved between 2 or more
people but internal conflict affects one persons mind and can only
be settled privately, without the help of other people.