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TITLE: Hamlet's Split Personality: The Emotionally Unstable vs. The Rational Façade

INTRO: Concealing emotions within oneself can tend to mask one’s true character with a false projected image that is only a mere representation of the person. In Hamlet, Shakespeare introduces Hamlet in rather depressing circumstances as he is just coping with the death of his father. Hamlet appears to be more honest when he is with himself rather than when he is surrounded by others. Shakespeare presents this difference in Hamlet to further develop his character and demonstrate his lack of self expression. As revealed in Hamlet’s soliloquies, he is much more truthful and speaks his mind. Through these isolated settings, Hamlet also appears mentally unstable. Without these scenes with Hamlet alone, the reader would only know the other, more concealed, side of him. Evident in his interactions with King Claudius and his mother, Hamlet does not express his full opinions and seems reserved. Therefore, although Hamlet’s speech with others and with himself may appear to be similar, close examination reveals that Hamlet’s speech is more honest with himself which, in effect, works to fully develop both sides of his character.

1ST BODY: Hamlet’s speeches when he is alone show the reader his deranged and emotionally unstable side due to his inner turmoil from his father’s death. In his first soliloquy, Hamlet expresses his disapproval of Claudius and his mother. This is the first instance where the reader sees the more emotional side of Hamlet. Not only does his tone change, but he also uses more figurative language to convey his emotions to the reader: “How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable, seem to me all the uses of this world!” (1.2, 133-134). Shakespeare uses hyperbole to exaggerate Hamlet’s speech and to indicate a more dramatic tone in his voice. This use of overstatement contrasts with his seemingly flat tone of voice when conversing with others. Hamlet displays his full range of emotion when with himself and does not hesitate to censor any of this thoughts. Furthermore, Hamlet proves to possess these two characters at the end of his first soliloquy when Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo walk in: “It is not nor it cannot come to good: But break, my heart; for I must hold my tongue” (1.2, 158-159). When others come into Hamlet’s presence, he becomes reserved and becomes a completely different person. As the play progresses, Hamlet seems more mentally unstable in his soliloquies. His personality seems more split and he appears to be self-loathing. After Hamlet tells the First Player he wants to add in a couple lines to a play to expose Claudius, he immediately blames himself and questions his morality: “With this slave’s offal: bloody, bawdy villain! Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain!” (2.2, 507-508). Hamlet berates himself for seeking vengeance on the King. Shakespeare uses plosive consonants to emphasize Hamlet’s infuriated tone. Moreover, this speech is permeated with rhetorical questions which further displays Hamlet’s split personality persona. Hamlet is truly a different person when he is alone, showing the effects of his father’s death on his character.

OUTLINE:

- Intro

- Hamlet's personality alone

- Hamlet's personality when around others

- Conclusion