Discuss the issue of insanity (psychological impairment, senility, madness, feigned madness, criminal insanity, mental instability, lunacy, etc.) in at least two characters from each of the following plays: Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, and either A Midsummer Night’s Dream or Troilus and Cressida. Discuss each characters purpose in his or her play, how their disorder manifestation, and analyze Shakespeare’s purpose in including characters with such mental illnesses. (Why are there so many mad people in his plays?)

The essay needs to include at least 6 scholastic sources to substantiate ideas raised in the paper. Although, not every idea needs to be cited (original conclusions and interpretations should be made as well).

The paper needs to be well organized with a strong, clear thesis.