Madness in Shakespeare's Hamlet- Madness may be “mental incapacity caused by an unmentionable injury.” Such wounds often are not easily perceived but may be revealed in time of stress. Hamlet’s question, “have you a daughter?”(Act II. Sc2 182) Polonius about the Prince’s emotional state. What is hidden will surely be told to Cloudius by his adviser. Laertes’ search for revenge is sharper proof that madness in degrees of publicity causes harm to the …showed first 75 words of 753 total…

…showed last 75 words of 753 total…no real control over the mental state he was developing by the sway of Claudius. Ophelia was the most innocent victim of all because she was the side affect of everyone else’s actions and had no idea that she was mentally disintegrating. It can be noticed that within each of these three people there can be no reassurance on what the affect they may have on others due to their mental state in public.