Hamlet's Essay “I plead guilty by reason of insanity,” this would be Hamlet's plea if he were sitting in a modern courtroom. In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, it is evident that Hamlet himself is indeed mad. The reader understands the reason for his anger and frustration, but how he “fixes” the situation is beyond a sane mind. To be honest, his madness is more about an emotional instability called melancholy or madness than an incoherent person. Hamlet's madness becomes clear in his actions and thoughts, in his erratic relationship with Ophelia, and in the murder of Polonius. Melancholy is the perfect word to describe Hamlet from the beginning of the play. In his first soliloquy, Hamlet is depressed and contemplates suicide following the death of his father. He hates his mother's "increased appetite" and his marriage to his uncle is in "incestuous trouble" (1.2.144-159). Later, when Hamlet encounters the ghost, he tells his friends that he will adopt an "antique disposition" (1.5.58). This is strange for Hamlet, considering the fact that he was in a depressive state and suddenly finds himself in a depressive state....