NOTICE: (Quotations from the play have been carefully transcribed, maintaining the writer’s capitalization and using a forward slash (/) to indicate line breaks. Quotes have been cited with Act, scene and line numbers)

TOPIC:
One of the inevitable and time-honoured questions asked about Hamlet focuses on the question of his insanity, whether he has put on an “antic disposition” or whether he is truly insane. Discuss whether you believe Hamlet is putting on an “antic disposition” or whether you believe he is truly insane. Consider the following questions in preparing your response, but do not answer them specifically.

What is sanity or insanity?
How do people know whether they are sane or insane?
If an individual lives entirely on his or her own, how can that person determine whether she or he is insane or sane?
Does one have to be insane to take another person’s life? To commit murder?
Is Hamlet sane or insane during this act of the play?

 

NOTICE: (Quotations from the play have been carefully transcribed, maintaining the writer’s capitalization and using a forward slash (/) to indicate line breaks. Quotes have been cited with Act, scene and line numbers)

TOPIC:
One of the inevitable and time-honoured questions asked about Hamlet focuses on the question of his insanity, whether he has put on an “antic disposition” or whether he is truly insane. Discuss whether you believe Hamlet is putting on an “antic disposition” or whether you believe he is truly insane. Consider the following questions in preparing your response, but do not answer them specifically.

What is sanity or insanity?
How do people know whether they are sane or insane?
If an individual lives entirely on his or her own, how can that person determine whether she or he is insane or sane?
Does one have to be insane to take another person’s life? To commit murder?
Is Hamlet sane or insane during this act of the play?