Essay about Hamlets Wild Roller Coaster Ride - 1268 Words

Alternating between the darkest plunges of depression and highest peaks of mania, Hamlet was accused of being melancholic and even insane. But, in present times, it would have been recognized that Hamlet had bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder where the sufferer goes back and forth between episodes of mania and depression (Basile). So, in modern day, Hamlet would have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and it was one of his manic episodes that ultimately lead to his death. Hamlet shows signs of depression starting after his father’s death. In the beginning of Hamlet, Hamlet is grieving over his father’s death and resents his new father, Claudius. Hamlet says, â€Å"She married. O, most wicked speed to post/ With†¦show more content†¦Hamlet believes he will be able to tell from Claudius’s reaction to the play, in which the plot is similar to how Hamlet believes Claudius killed his father, if Claudius is really the cause of his father’s death. He believes that if Claudius shows any hint of guilt, he will be able to identify it. Hamlet is extremely goal oriented in his plan and is very excited about the idea of verifying Claudius’s guilt. According to an article on bipolar disorder on nihm.nih.gov, some of the symptoms of a manic episode are increasing goal-oriented activity, having an unrealistic belief in one’s abilities, and behaving impulsively. Hamlet’s rash decision to try to exploit Claudius is very impulsive. He is only able to focus on his single goal of exposing Claudius and is unable to concentrate on anything else. He also believes that he is the only one that can get revenge on Claudius. Grandiose delusions are a symptom of bipolar disorder: â€Å"People with delusions of grandeur may exhibit a drastically exaggerated sense of self-importance† (Caruso). Hamlet has a very high sense of self-importance and believes he needs to be the one responsible for exposing Claudius for the actor he really is. Earlier, Hamlet swings to a depressive episode so severe, he almost commits suicide. In one of the most famous soliloquies from Hamlet, Hamlet contemplates suicide: â€Å"To be or not to be? That is the question† (III.i.57.).