Throughout all of Shakespeare's greatest works there is the ever-present use of guilt and madness to add depth to characters, further drama and plot and sometimes even to lengthen the work itself. From Hamlet's constant struggle to kill his incestuous uncle to Macbeth's sudden ability to see ghostly blood-coated daggers, it's clear that Shakespeare has a method to his madness. Shakespeare uses guilt as a kind of net for the humanity of his characters. Throughout Macbeth and Hamlet characters do some deplorable things and the easiest way to help the audience stay behind a main character is to make them feel guilty for such acts. This turns into the “madness” that is always present along with the sense of guilt. Shakespeare doesn't just want the character to feel bad; He wants the public to know this too. This is what creates the tangled visions, delusional speeches, and general madness displayed by many characters in his works. We will begin the analysis on the presence of guilt and madness with Hamlet. What better character to begin an analysis of Hamlet with than the man (or teenager) himself. Hamlet is the son of a once-loved, currently deceased king. After his death, King Hamlet's wife does what most women would do in that situation: marry his brother. This does not sit well with Hamlet, as demonstrated by his constant despondency and inability to forgive his mother. Meanwhile, the supposed ghost of King Hamlet wanders the Danish castle grounds looking for someone to tell Hamlet he is there. Then, with a fair amount of depression and a weakened mind, Hamlet comes face to face with the ghost of his dead father. Part of what makes Hamlet's "madness" so intriguing is the fact that we don't really know if it's true... middle of paper... depiction in ashes of a very real feeling humans know: guilt . . It takes these characters who think they have it all figured out and allows them to be wrong. When they are weaker they fight and when they are stronger they sin. Shakespeare is trying to send a message to his audience with these tales of woe. He wants people to always remember to take control of their emotions and never let emotions take control of them. Bibliography: Crawford, Alexander W. Hamlet, an ideal prince and other essays on Shakespearean interpretation: Hamlet; Merchant of Venice; Othello; King Lear. Boston RG Badger, 1916. Shakespeare online. August 20, 2009. < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/hamlet/antichamlet.html >.