Could anyone really determine whether or not a person is mad or sane? In William Shakespeares Hamlet and Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman each of their two main characters, Hamlet and Wily Loman, are put up to this question, but in each situation their so-called madness differs in the cause of The ways in which their madness affects their lives is proven by threeactions. These actions are neglecting their responsibilities, negativelyinfluencing others, and finally distracting themselves.It is really never determined whether or not Hamlet and Willy are reallymad, but there is some good details that reflect it. Both characters were oncerespectable, yet now they are neglecting responsibilities that they have. Hamlet, we first learn, is an intelligent student. Now by the end of the playhe neglects to do what he is supposed to. The first thing he should have doneis avenge his fathers death by killing Claudius. He has many chances inwhich he could, but doesnt do it. Is he maybe questioning the the validity ofthe ghost or is his conscious getting to him. Then he starts losing track ofwhat he should do and when he does do things he doesnt care whether or notit is right. For example, the killing of Polonius. He killed him without aflinch. Finally when he does realize who he killed, he shows no remorse. Shouldnt he have? He killed his loves father. Maybe he doesnt have aconscious or maybe from the trauma of his fathers death hes not thinkingright anymore. Now, Willy Loman in the beginning of Death of a Salesmanis shown to be not quite there to the readers. He cannot keep his mind on the present, he is always looking for what he considers to be the good timesof the past. When he is driving, he endangers himself by drifting off anddaydreaming of the past. He doesnt even realize that he is jeopardizing hislife by not paying attention. Also Willy wants so much more, but he doesnteven try to make it better. He escapes like a ...
