Hamlet by Shakespeare has shown many various disabilities throughout his short story. One of them I feel is almost more recognizable than others being the mental issues that Hamlet has after the loss of his father. In act one scene 2 he shows great anger when his father is talked about by Claudius, and throughout the rest of act one there are many occurrences that make you question if something is wrong with Hamlet. He feels like he’s “lost all of his mirth,” or “bounded in a nutshell.” This type of behavior is how depression was depicted way back in time. Hamlet’s depression is a depression that is not like how it’s depicted in today’s day. There are many different ways people act now in today’s world than how it’s being depicted in the short story. Today people who are experiencing depression tend to just want to be by themselves and become lonely and sad. Hamlet builds up a rage from his depression and instead of just not feeling or doing anything, he creates a plan where he could avenge his fathers death.
To comprehend the portrayal of depression in “Hamlet,” it is crucial to consider the societal norms and beliefs prevalent during Shakespeare’s time, commonly known as the Elizabethan era. Mental health was not understood in the same manner as it is today. In the 16th century, melancholy was often perceived as a moral failing or a consequence of religion rather than a medical condition. This perspective is evident in Hamlet’s own reflections on his state of mind, as he grapples with feelings of guilt, betrayal, and existential crisis. His famous soliloquies, such as “To be, or not to be,” capture his inner turmoil and contemplation of suicide, reflecting the societal attitudes towards despair and suffering.
Depression in today’s world has many different types of symptoms and is depicted very differently than it is in “Hamlet.” Studies shown from NIMH, The National Institute of Mental Health, say that “Depression is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working.” These symptoms would include things like decreased energy, feelings of hopelessness, thoughts of death, and many others. To trigger depression, life events, “such as losing a job, going through a separation or divorce, or being diagnosed with a serious illness, may also trigger depression, particularly among people who are already at risk because of genetic, developmental or other personal factors.”(BH) In Shakespeare’s time, mental illness was often misunderstood, viewed through a lens of superstition and fear. Hamlet is depicted almost as a ball of rage after he gains this mental illness. When he sees his father and hears the truth about how his father had been killed in act one scene five, the sadness that he subsumes by talking to his father keeps building and building until it becomes a ball of anger. Instead of getting the feeling of nothingness like people with depression would get in today’s world, Hamlet almost gains feeling and his feelings would become unable to control.
“O what a rogue and peasant slave am I! …
A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak
Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,
And can say nothing! No, not for a king,
Upon whose property and most dear life
A damn’d defeat was made. Am I a coward?
Who calls me a villain? breaks my pate across?
Plucks off my beard and blows it in my face?
Tweaks me by th’ nose? gives me the lie i’ th’ throat
As deep as to the lungs? Who does me this, ha?
‘Swounds, I should take it! for it cannot be
But I am pigeon-liver’d and lack gall
To make oppression bitter, or ere this
I should have fatted all the region kites
With this slave’s offal. Bloody bawdy villain!
Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain!
O, vengeance! Why, what an ass am I!” (365-415 Act two scene two.)
This is a quote from the book itself Hamlet by Lisa Petereson, Act 2 scene 2. This perfectly depicts the type of Mental illness or depression that Hamlet had in the short story. Throughout the soliloquy, Hamlet’s language becomes increasingly violent, reflecting the intensity of his emotional turmoil. He imagines himself being physically assaulted and humiliated, yet he feels powerless to defend himself. This internal conflict between his desire for vengeance and his perceived weakness exacerbates Hamlet’s sense of despair and hopelessness. This Part of the act Hamlets really expresses his true feelings about the current situation that had occurred. The realization of sadness and trauma results in rage and death. His depression that is being depicted in this era of time is completely different than how it would be in times. As said in new times people lose all feeling and pride, while Hamlet loses feeling but still has motivation to avenge his father.
Apart from Hamlet, during the 16th century, people saw depression differently. Back then, they mostly thought of it as a type of madness. Symptoms like feeling paranoid or having strange beliefs were seen as signs of this “madness.”
“From the 16th century, it was generally considered a type of insanity, and symptoms such as delusions and suspicion became more of a focus in these descriptions.” – Saloni Dattani
Another famous play from that time, Macbeth, also touches on depression. The main character wonders if his strange visions are because of something supernatural or if it’s just his own troubled mind playing tricks on him. He even questions if his brain is overheating and causing him to go crazy:
“Macbeth wonders if his vision is not actually caused by the supernatural, but rather his ill mind. He questions whether excess ‘heat’, thought by Jacobeans to be a fluid, is pressing on his brain to cause delirium.” – Holly Kelsie
Comparing these old views to today, we now understand depression better. We know that feeling bad about yourself or down isn’t just about being crazy or haunted by ghosts. It’s a real issue that many people face, and we approach it with more compassion and knowledge.
Looking back at history helps us see how our understanding of mental health has changed over time. It reminds us of the progress we’ve made and the importance of supporting those dealing with depression today.
In conclusion, while the portrayal of depression in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” shares similarities with modern understandings of the condition, it also exhibits distinct differences that reflect the cultural and historical context of the play. Hamlet’s depression is characterized by existential angst, moral conflict, and a sense of helplessness, which are intertwined with broader themes of fate, morality, and the human condition. Unlike contemporary depictions of depression, which often focus on clinical symptoms and psychological treatments, “Hamlet” presents depression as a complex and multifaceted phenomenon deeply rooted in the individual’s inner turmoil and external circumstances. Ultimately, while “Hamlet” offers a timeless exploration of mental anguish and despair, its portrayal of depression differs from contemporary understandings in its emphasis on existential themes and societal norms. By examining the ways in which depression is depicted in the play and comparing them to modern perspectives, we gain insight into the evolving understanding of mental health across different historical and cultural contexts. Hamlet’s depression serves as a reminder of the complexity of the human psyche and the enduring relevance of Shakespeare’s exploration of the human condition. This is how the depression that is shown in Hamlet differs from how it is in today’s world. Several acts through this short story, Acts 1, 2, and many more prove how it is different from what depression looks like today.
Works Cited :
Dattani, Saloni. “Depression Is Complicated – This Is How Our Understanding of the Condition Has Evolved over Time.” Our World in Data, 19 Aug. 2021, ourworldindata.org/what-is-depression.
“Depression Explained | Betterhealth.vic.gov.au.” Www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/depression#symptoms-of-depression.
Kelsie, Holly . “Medicine, Melancholy and the Mystical.” Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, 3 Aug. 2016, http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/blogs/medicine-melancholy-and-mystical. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.
National institute of Mental Health. “Depression.” National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, Sept. 2023, http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression.
Shakespeare, William, et al. Hamlet. Tempe, Arizona Acmrs Press, Arizona State University, 2021.
Sprockets and Springes 