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Insane or Not Insane - That is the Question, 2002.
An examination into the question of whether Shakespeare's Hamlet was insane or not.
1,585 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 6 sources, MLA, £ 36.95
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Abstract
A thorough analysis of whether the character of Hamlet can be considered to be sane or insane. The paper looks at several examples and scenes of the play in order to examine this question and concludes that Hamlet was not insane, but it was simply a cover-up to confuse his enemies.
From the Paper
"In both theatrical and academic circles alike a common topic of conversation is whether or not the character of Hamlet in William Shakespeare?s masterpiece is insane or simply feigning insanity. Throughout the years since this play was first produced many theatre artists have made the strong choice to define Hamlet as insane. This choice is decidedly wrong. Hamlet is not insane. The Danish Prince is merely pretending such so that he might understand the deception revolving around him more clearly while developing a strategy of revenge."
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The Insanity Plea, 2004.
A discussion on the insanity of the concept of the insanity plea.
1,304 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 8 sources, MLA, £ 31.95
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Abstract
This paper debates how the insanity plea and its use to obtain verdicts of acquittal for murderers is insane insofar as it allows criminals to escape punishment, reenter society, and possibly kill again.
From the Paper
"While the chance for murderers to plea insanity if they really are mentally imbalanced appears fair, it is not. This appeal has been used to get many cold hearted murderers acquitted and go free. In being free they have the opportunity to kill again. In this way, the law is saying that the insane can murder without having to pay a price for their action. Allen Brownfield, an editor of the Human Events magazine and a well known author, makes this issue very clear in "Defense Attorneys Mad about Insanity Defense." As Brownfield says, "The growing use of the insanity defense is part of a larger trend in society to eliminate personal responsibility for one's actions." The case of the Menendez brothers proves this."
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Vietnam War Literature, 2007.
This paper discuses references to American religious culture in Vietnam War literature using examples from Tim O'Brien, Norman Mailer and Robert Bly.
1,375 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 6 sources, MLA, £ 32.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Vietnam War literature positions American religion as being a God-fearing culture that seeks to be moral. The author points out works by Tim O'Brien, Norman Mailer and Robert Bly that refer to this everyday American religion and culture and to myths of American power, politicians and industrialists as being insane and immoral and as changing forever how Americans saw their country. The paper relates that these works project the Vietnam conflict as something in which Americans should never have been involved including describing its soldiers as victims or as people responsible for terrible crimes of war. The author stresses that Vietnam was a working-class war rejected by the American bourgeoisie, who did not need to go to combat. The paper concludes that the literature discussed in the paper is the work of Americans with the option not to go to Vietnam and that it needs to be examined along with other literature produced in the next decades, too.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Damning Literature
Tim O'Brien's "In the Field"
Norman Mailer
Robert Bly Poem: "The Teeth Mother Naked at Last"
Last Remarks
From the Paper
"Norman Mailer's "The Army of the Night" was published in 1968 and is an allegorical description of the March on the Pentagon. The reader is shown the extreme contrast between rather decadent hippies of the anti-Vietnam War movement and the thousands who then fought in Vietnam, ordinary Americans who dealt with every terrible aspect of jungle warfare. The last pages of "A Confrontation by the River" tell of a clash of American popular myths and moral beliefs about America and a "true religious war of Christ against the Communist" in relation to Vietnam towards a "whole crisis of Christianity in America... ""
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Insanity in "Macbeth", 2004.
An analysis of the themes of insanity and madness in William Shakespeare's "Macbeth".
1,405 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 1 source, MLA, £ 32.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how insanity is a predominant element in William Shakespeare's play, "Macbeth". It discusses how insanity, or madness, is represented on three different levels through Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and Macduff, and how each character illustrates varying degrees of insanity and the possible solutions for dealing with it. It looks at how Shakespeare uses insanity in the play to heighten tension, as well as to convey a dark and sinister mood, and how, by gradually leading up to the insanity of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, we are able to witness its devastating effects. It examines how insanity develops in the play and serves as a dramatic function to reinforce the theme of "evil begets evil".
From the Paper
"Lady Macbeth begins to exhibit signs of madness with her strange trances. Her insanity is more significant than Macbeth?s insanity because of her state of mind in the beginning of the play. By making Lady Macbeth?s character despicable, her madness seems more fitting. In other words, she gets what she deserves. This is not to make light of Macbeth?s actions, for he certainly deserves what he has coming to him as well. However, with Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare is more able to reinforce the theme that evil begets evil. Shakespeare delivers this message with unforgettable irony."
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Two Views of the Insanity Defense, 1982.
This paper presents pro and con views of allowing the insanity defense in the criminal justice system and concludes with the argument favoring the continued use of the insanity defense.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 2 sources, £ 27.95
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From the Paper
"Alan Stone in Chapter 17, begins his discussion of the insanity defense by defining the basic nature of the law, and the basic nature of psychiatry. He argues that the law is formal, rigid, traditional, objective and judgmental; psychiatry is flighty, expansive, unconventional, subjective, and understanding. There seems to be little room for common ground. Stone intimates, that what the law wanted from psychiatric investigation, was rock-bound methodology that explained aberrant behavior. During the 1950s the Durham decision further cemented the relationship between the two disciplines. The California Supreme Court seemed more willing to be lead by psychiatric reasoning, giving more credence to the insanity plea, and bring the concept of diminished capacity to the fore."
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Insanity in Literature, 2007.
A comparison of the role of insanity in William Shakespeare's "Hamlet", Henry James' "Turn of the Screw" and Tom Stoppard's "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead".
1,344 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 3 sources, MLA, £ 32.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes the role that insanity plays in literature. It focuses on and compares the role of insanity in William Shakespeare's "Hamlet", Henry James' "Turn of the Screw", and Tom Stoppard's "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead." It shows how, in the three works, the nature of insanity differs. The paper also discusses the important role that insanity plays in the plot and power of each of the plays and book.
From the Paper
"The decay of rationality into madness has allured writers for centuries. The nature of insanity teaches and explains the nature of sanity. William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Henry James' Turn of the Screw, and Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead investigate ambiguous insanity. In these compositions, the characters in question (Hamlet; the governess; and Ros and Guil, respectively) can provide ample evidence for their sanity and a logical, if not always honorable, justification for their insanity. Hamlet's unbridled rowdiness is necessary for him to stay unharmed and plotting in the court. His sanity can be proved by the stark rationality in his eccentric schemes. Though he acts in "madness...there is method in't" (II, ii, 211). James' governess has seen ghosts with her heretofore trustworthy eyes and nothing, but the laws of physics, directly disproves the governess' tales of evil afoot or denigrates her heroic attempts at exorcism. Ros and Guil try valiantly, despite their comic failures, to find reason in their fairy tale world of inescapable fates and impossibly prescient walking Gods. Ros and Guil are actually saner than their Lewis Carroll reality. However, these possibilities of sanity are like the tails side of Guil's coin: about as probable as their counterpart, but not as enlightening or interesting. If authors' intentions are assumed to include insane characters, the causes of insanity and the purposes for afflicting characters with insanity become more evident."
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The Insanity Plea, 2004.
An overview of the insanity plea and its purpose in the criminal justice system.
1,182 words (approx. 4.7 pages), 6 sources, MLA, £ 28.95
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Abstract
In the worlds of criminal justice and psychology, the insanity plea is a controversial subject, and some experts believe that it can be abused and allow criminals to get away with committing horrific crimes. Others contend that the insanity plea is necessary to protect the mentally unstable. This paper provides a discussion on the insanity plea, how it works in the criminal justice system, and how it relates to psychology.
From the Paper
"The book goes on to assert that the insanity plea is so controversial because of the very nature of insanity. The author explains that because mental stability is wide ranging it is difficult to determine what type of mental incapacity is defined as insanity. For this reason, when there is a plea of insanity jurors must decide the defendants fate based on whether they were ?'so irrational as to be nonresponsible?. (MacKay 1995) In other words ?the moral basis of the insanity defence, states that the crucial issue 'is whether in some cases extreme craziness (involved in the defendant's offensive conduct) so compromises the defendant's rationality or creates such compulsion that it would be unjust to hold the defendant responsible.? "
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Insanity Defense, 2002.
Discusses the legal concept of insanity.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 2 sources, £ 16.95
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Abstract
Discusses the legal concept of insanity. Aspects of premeditation and calculation in comitting murder. Uses two specific examples to illustrate the general discussion: one literary & one actual case. Edgar Allan Poe's 1846 story "A Cask of Amontillado" and an 1843 English murder trial that raised the question of criminal insanity and established the modern legal insanity test (McNaughton rule).
From the Paper
"Insanity is a term often used as if it had a medical meaning, but in truth, insanity is a legal concept. Under this concept, Montresor in Edgar Allan Poe's story "A Cask of Amontillado" would certainly be classified as mentally unbalanced but would also be deemed sane under the law. This is because while the actions he takes might be considered insane by many people, he does them knowing that what he is doing is wrong.
In the Poe story, the tale is told by Montresor, who will also be the murderer, and the reader experiences his madness directly because he tells his own story. The horror story by Poe gains power by having the protagonist tell the story. This is a story that features a theme repeated in several Poe stories, that of being buried alive, and here the victim is..."
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Theme of Insanity in Hamlet, 2006.
This paper discusses the theme of insanity in the character Hamlet in the tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 3 sources, £ 18.95
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Abstract
In this paper, the writer demonstrates that Hamlet has ultimately realized true insanity, as he has acted out his madness in a disguise that has failed on a large scale. The writer discusses that in this manner, the critical views of Grady offer greater insight into a psychological case for insanity for Hamlet in the play. The writer also shows that critic Harold Bloom does show a variety of behaviors that might present Hamlet's insanity as a disguise.
From the Paper
"This study reveals critical theory and interpretation that often revolves the character Hamlet in William Shakespeare's play The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. By assessing modern critical theory on Hamlet's character, one can understand that many critics agree on Hamlet's insanity within the play, and how this links to his own tragic fate in the play. By offering different theoretical analysis of this aspect of Hamlet's character, we can understand why psychology--via madness and insanity--are how twentieth century critics view Shakespeare's portrayal of Hamlet in critical perspectives. In the first appearance of the Ghost (Hamlet's dead father) in the beginning of the play, reveal the first delusional image that Hamlet receives."
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Hamlet's Insanity, 2006.
This paper examines Hamlet's murder and the defense of his insanity.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 3 sources, £ 37.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses how the crime of murder was committed in the State of Denmark by Hamlet, the Prince. The murder was committed during an argument with his mother Gertrude following Hamlet's realization that someone was hiding behind a curtain in his mother bedroom. The paper explains that although Hamlet is a Prince, it has been contended by Claudius and Laertes that Hamlet be held accountable for his actions. The paper explains that further information in this case provides evidence that Hamlet is known to have been considered insane with the insanity arising after the murder of his father.
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The Defense of Insanity, 2002.
Determines whether or not the defense of insanity is indeed a valid one in a court of law.
1,275 words (approx. 5.1 pages), 5 sources, £ 34.95
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Abstract
The concept of mens rea will first be elaborated in this paper, followed by an analysis of when the defense of insanity can be applied and concluded by a brief discussion on the credibility of criminal insanity.
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An Analysis of Insanity, 2005.
An analysis and comparison of the dominant husband's perception of insanity in Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" and Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre".
1,027 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 4 sources, MLA, £ 25.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that insanity, in Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper", is symbolized by the anonymous narrator as an insidious force that is mostly ignored by the dominant husband, while in Charlotte Bronte's, "Jane Eyre", insanity is represented by Bertha Mason's behaviour as an evil force that must be dealt with by the dominant husband.
From the Paper
"On the other side of the insanity spectrum there is Bertha Mason. While in the beginning Rochester too hides his wife from public view, like a dark secret, he does not illusion himself that his wife is only momentarily sick. In the end, Rochester publicly admits that his wife is really a monster. Rochester's revealing and confronting attitude regarding his insane wife is best illustrated by when he publicly announces during his second wedding that, "Bertha Mason is mad; and she came of a mad family; idiots and maniacs through three generations! Her mother, the Creole, was both a madwoman and a drunkard" (Bronte 326)! Even though the setting in Jane Eyre is also the nineteenth century, Rochester's ultimate approach to his wife's madness is very different from John's. When cornered, Rochester simply admits the truth and even shows his insane wife to everyone. Because of the two men's differing tactics concerning insanity each serves as a character foil for the other."
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Insanity in "The Yellow Wallpaper", 2003.
An analysis of the causes of the narrator's insanity and in particular her husband's effect on her feelings in "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.
1,138 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 0 sources, £ 27.95
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Abstract
This paper examines "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, a short story set in the late nineteenth century about a woman going insane. It is the story of the narrator being diagnosed with temporary nervous depression which is actually post-natal depression and how she is forced to stay in a room with nothing to do but stare at the yellow wallpaper. It discusses how it is the wallpaper and the subtle actions of her husband that make her go insane and looks at how it is primarily the actions of John that affect the whole story. It shows how it is the hidden metaphors, subtle repetitions and unnoticed tone through out the story make the reasons for her insanity hard to find.
From the Paper
"John may love his wife but because he is a physician he treats her more like a patient rather than his wife. "John is a physician and perhaps -- (I would not say it to a living soul, of course but this is dead paper and a great relief to my mind) -- perhaps that is one reason I do not get well faster." The repetition of the word 'perhaps' and making it in italics emphasises that it may not be true but her repetition of it shows that she is making the reader think about it and I believe she is using reverse psychology to make the reader believe this. By creating this atmosphere of lack of trusting this makes the reader wonder whether we can actually trust the narrator and should we trust her views of John?"
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Insanity in 'Hamlet' and 'Macbeth', 2005.
This paper discusses the theme of insanity as demonstrated in the plays "Hamlet" and "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 5 sources, £ 50.95
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Abstract
This paper describes the evidence for Hamlet's and Lady Macbeth's insanity in the plays "Hamlet" and "Macbeth." Definitions of insanity from a psychological perspective are provided in this essay. Both plays are summarized with extensive quotes and examples of each character's behavior that would lead to the diagnosis of some form of psychosis, including murder and suicide.
From the Paper
"William Shakespeare used the theme of insanity in many of his plays, and two of the most famous are 'Hamlet' and 'Macbeth'. The theme of insanity in both of these plays is illustrated through several characters. Through the course of this paper it will be shown that in these plays, the characters Lady Macbeth and Prince Hamlet are insane. This paper will discuss the nature of insanity, the role of insanity in both Hamlet and Macbeth, and controversy over the questions of insanity raised by both of these plays. While Hamlet and Lady Macbeth's complimentary characters Ophelia and Macbeth exhibit obvious signs of increasing insanity, it can be argued that both Hamlet and Lady Macbeth are mentally unstable from the beginning of their respective plays."
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