Melancholy and Hamlet In the play Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, Hamlet is greatly affected in his thoughts and his actions by his ever changing state of melancholy. Melancholia is a medical term categorized by extreme depression, apathy, and withdrawal. Hamlet gives in to this illness and throughout the play he shows several characteristics of it. Hamlet being so self-centered steers him away from performing the vigorous duties he has been chosen to do by …showed first 75 words of 1014 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1014 total…absorbed in different emotions and moods that are currently affecting him, such as the rage of his father’s death followed by the happy occasion of the players’ visit to the castle. Hamlet will not permit his plans to be changed or delayed, except by himself, in order to remain in control of his own fate. As you can see, each of his decisions and actions was determined and, partially, predicted by his melancholic nature.