The Depression/Melancholy in Hamlet Kane Hason-Traynor

Depression/ Melancholy Definition Severe, typically prolonged, feelings of despondency and dejection Feeling of extreme sadness Affects about 8% people in their lifetime 2x more common in women then men Most common in middle aged adults Onset in teens

Depression Symptoms Feeling down Exaggerate minor failings & ignore positive events See themselves as worthless & unlovable Show a lack of interest in hobbies May consider death or suicide Change in eating patterns: overeat or eat little Feel inexplicable pains

Types of Depression Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Periodic struggles with symptoms; usually severe Chronic Depression: less severe than MDD but symptoms last longer Bipolar Disorder: a rollercoaster of emotions 2 sides depression and mania Little need for sleep in mania, extreme risk taking.

Depression in early 1600’s A large amount of people became depressed Many poor people were unable to access land Many people died from illnesses Much of depression comes from loss of a loved one

Depression In Hamlet Hamlet is most depressed Depressed about his fathers death Claudius says to him "How is it that the clouds still hang on you?“ (Act 1 Scene 2) Depressed about mother marrying uncle Most soliloquies about his depression His depression makes him seem insanse

Depression in Hamlet Ophelia’s depression Family tells her she's not good enough for hamlet Must watch Hamlet brake down from his depression Loves Hamlet but can never be together