What does the phrase I'll retire to Bedlam said by Alastair Sim in A Christmas Carol mean?

Answer 1

Bedlam was a popular name for ST. Mary of Bethlehem hospital in London at the time of Dickens's classic. It was a hospital for the mentally disturbed. Scrooge felt that it was more sane there than outside where people foolishly (in his opinion) were celebrating Christmas.

Answer 2

In A Christmas Carol, when Alastair Sim's character says "I'll retire to Bedlam," he is expressing a desire to withdraw to a place of chaos or madness. Bedlam was a nickname for the Bethlem Royal Hospital in London, known for its harsh treatment of mentally ill patients. By using this phrase, the character is humorously suggesting that he is going to take a break from the hectic or stressful situation he is in and retreat to a place of disorder.