Preview

Corruption In Hamlet Analysis

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
554 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Corruption In Hamlet Analysis
The corruption in Denmark ultimately causes Hamlets death. In “Hamlet” written by William Shakespeare he expresses multiple themes to convey his message. Throughout the play characters deceive and destroy one another, which causes death & decay in Hamlet. As a result from using unnatural means obtain power. The theme of corruption in Denmark is revealed through the manipulation of others, revenge that leads to madness throughout the drama, and lastly the greed for power. Characters in “Hamlet” act blindly through anger and emotion that leads them to their own undoing.
King Claudius manipulates the Queen of Denmark, Gertrude making her believe he is a good king. He also tries to disguises himself as a loving and caring father to Hamlet to gain Gertrude’s trust. When discovering King Hamlet died, King Claudius tries to console Hamlet with soft words. In the speech, “death of fathers, and who still hath cried, from the first corse till he that died today, “This must be so.” We pray you, throw to earth this unprevailing woe, and think of us As of a father. For let the world take note, you are the most immediate to our throne” (H.1.ii.90-113).
Claudius conveys remorseful and sincere while speaking to Hamlet but his true intentions are to kill him.
Hamlet pretends to lose his sanity in order to
…show more content…
Claudius thrives for power and was even willing to kill for the throne. As he is in the chapel asking for forgiveness after Hamlets players reenacted the scene in which Claudius killed king Hamlet. “Forgive me my foul murder”? “That I cannot be, since i am still possessed of those effects for which I did the murder: My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen”. “(Hamlet.3.iii.55-60). Hamlet can willingly acknowledge the guilt of King Claudius but wants his punishment to be

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Best Essays

    Hamlet, Prince of Denmark has remained the most perplexing, as well as the most popular, of William Shakespeare’s tragedies. Whether considered as literature, philosophy, or drama, its artistic stature is universally admitted. To explain the reasons for its excellence in a few words, however, is a daunting task. Apart from the matchless artistry of its language, the play’s appeal rests in large measure on the character of Hamlet himself. Called upon to avenge his father’s murder, he is compelled to face problems of duty, morality, and ethics that have been human concerns through the ages. The play has tantalized critics with what has become known as the Hamlet mystery, that of Hamlet’s complex behavior, most notably his indecision and his reluctance to act.…

    • 1773 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Now wears his crown” (1.5.46-47). Claudius’s brother was a great warrior that probably ruled with ideas of justice and moral balance but Claudius is a corrupt politician, he rules with manipulation and does not even feel guilt for catalyzing the fall from grace of so many characters. He schemes and manipulates other characters to get what he desires. When Claudius was certain that Hamlet knew of his lie about his brothers death he planned a match between Laertes and Hamlet in which Hamlet was not suppose to come out as the victor. Claudius will stop at nothing to maintain his power if he has he heart to murder his own brother, he will have the heart to murder anyone that blocks him from his goal. It is his own scheming that leads to his death, if power is gained by lies and manipulation more lies and manipulation must take place to maintain it and that life can only be held a secret for so long. The constant deaths, spying and confusion led many to become mad. His lack of guilt can be seen when he openly shows his affection for his wife in front of Hamlet and does it in a very obnoxious way. This affection for his wife is questionable because of his need for power. It is not certain whether or not Claudius actually has sincere feelings towards Gertrude or whether she is just another character playing a part in his lie, something that just came along with what he truly wanted, the crown. However even though his motives for marrying the queen are questionable, if he does not truly love Gertrude he covers it up well, showing once again his good use of manipulation. He openly shows affection and even declares his love in words, “The…

    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    American author, John Steinbeck once said “Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.” The theme of corruption is demonstrated in Hamlet by a series of events that lead to devastating decay. The “beginning of the end” is caused by Claudius, the present king of Denmark, Gertrude’s new spouse, and Hamlet’s uncle. Claudius is an intelligent antagonist whose Machiavellian plan of fratricide and his thirst for power drives Shakespeare’s tragedy. His powerful ability to manipulate brings Hamlet to insanity, but also brings short-term peace to the kingdom of Denmark. Critics argue that this trait would not leads to Claudius’ demise if it were not for Hamlet. However, Claudius’ own fear of his corruption being exposed destroys his facade of a capable king and ultimately leads his downfall.…

    • 1304 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Consequently, Hamlets’ tragic flaw leads to his downfall. His lack of action causes him not to kill Claudius when he has the chance, giving him the advantage. It can be seen that Claudius has the advantage to kill Hamlet when he states, “By letters conjuring to that effect/The present death of Hamlet. Do it, England” (4.3.65-6). Since Hamlet reveals that he knows that Claudius killed the former king, Claudius is deceiving Hamlet into going to England, where he will be executed. Hamlet reveals his knowledge of the murder when he puts on the play, re-enacting the former King’s murder. Now Claudius knows that he must kill Hamlet in order to avoid getting caught and stay on the throne. Claudius tells Hamlet that he is sending him to England for…

    • 179 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    His ability to overlook Claudius’s devious smile and snide comments allow Hamlet to understand his ulterior motives of ultimate control and tremendous wealth. Prince Hamlet felt forsaken by both his mother and Claudius when they chose to join in marriage just after the death of his father. Hamlet mourned over the death of his father for quite some time, and Claudius did not complete a single act to console him, but rather debase and disgrace him. Cruel treatment and cold actions from Claudius constituted Hamlet’s assertion regarding his true motivations. When Prince Hamlet discovered this had not been a mistake but rather Claudius’s plan the entire time, sadness turns to rage and his bitter emotions towards Claudius became immensely…

    • 525 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Although Hamlet is characterized as relatively rational in his acts, he nonetheless still possess a strong desire to enact just vengeance on those who have wronged him. While Hamlet arrives at a propitious opportunity to kill Claudius in Act III, while the unknowing murderer sits in prayer while Hamlet, dagger in hand, watches, he ultimately chooses not to, postponing the act until his uncle “is drunk asleep, or in his rage / Or in th' incestuous pleasure of his bed / At game a-swearing, or about some act / That has no relish of salvation in ’t” (III.iii.90-94). Hamlet wishes not only for his uncle to pay the ultimate price for his sins – his life – he wants Claudius to suffer in eternal damnation, reflecting the intensity of Hamlet’s feeling (Bloom 20). Only now do audiences realize the full extent to which Hamlet wishes for vengeance. Even among Hamlet’s wit and the guise of his “antic disposition”, passion and hatred…

    • 1081 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Within Hamlet the themes of death, disease, and decay are spread throughout the entire play. All are mentioned by Hamlet, the apparition and Horatio. All are described in great detail. These motifs reflect many of the characters inner struggles and views on life.…

    • 508 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Murdering an innocent is among one of the greatest sins a man can commit. Hamlet shows no guilt for murdering Polonius by accident. Instead he feels nothing of it except that “heaven hath pleased it so, to punish me with this and this with me” and that he “must be cruel to be kind” (III, iv, 175-180). Not only is a strange kind of remorse found in place of his guilt, but he also tries to justify his actions, disregarding what is morally right. Like Hamlet, Claudius lacks the guilt that morality would provide in such situations. Claudius, in a jealous act of revenge killed his…

    • 719 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Shakespeare, William, Barbara A. Mowat, and Paul Werstine. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. New York: Washington Square, 2002. Print.…

    • 2083 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Cites

    • 813 Words
    • 4 Pages

    I think there is a misplaced speech in Hamlet which has resulted in much unnecessary confusion. You'll remember that in Act I Hamlet meets his father's ghost, who tells his son that he was murdered by Claudius. Hamlet is full of resolve to do the right thing, but he makes no attempt to kill Claudius until Act III, Scene IV. (That attempt is frustrated when he mistakenly believes Claudius is praying.)…

    • 813 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, William Shakespeare’s longest, and perhaps most notable, play explores several important aspects of the human condition. Hamlet’s battle between his emotions and logic, as well as his fatal flaws and what he considers to be morally good and looming evil, encased in a story of murder and betrayal enlightens audiences to contemplate the true meaning of being human. Ultimately, through Hamlet’s questioning of humanity and what it means to be alive and human, Shakespeare prompts the conversation in his audience.…

    • 943 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet’s focus on corruption and its subsequent impact on individuals and society is raised in Claudius’ usurping of the throne. Contextualised in a period linked with the Great Chain of Being, Hamlet see’s Claudius’ murder of the old king and consequent crowning as king, “the serpent that did sting my father’s life/now wears his crown” as a transgression of the natural order. This corruption of the throne quickly transmits to the rest of Denmark, the appearance of the ghost, “bodes a…

    • 995 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the play 'Hamlet ', corruption is conveyed within many of the key characters; Prince Hamlet is not corrupt, but merely fools the people around him into believing that he is, in order to help him carry out his orders. Prince Hamlet learns at the beginning of the play of his father 's murder. He then is ordered by his father ghost to seek revenge on his father 's murderer, Claudius. It is the flaws within the state of Denmark, which have led to the previous kings murder. Hamlet persuades the new king, Claudius, into believing that he is a madman, convincing the people around him as well, in order to take revenge.…

    • 596 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Who Is Wronged In Hamlet

    • 949 Words
    • 4 Pages

    In Hamlet, King Claudius is shown to be an all-around evil, greedy man. This is first shown when Claudius kills his own brother just to gain power of the Kingdom of Denmark. Then Claudius plans to have another attempt in a selfish murder against his nephew-step-son Hamlet. When Claudius realizes that Hamlet suspects that Claudius killed Hamlet’s father, Claudius does whatever he can to get rid of Hamlet. First Claudius sends Hamlet to England to keep him from telling anyone in Denmark about his crime. The King says, “Do it, England, for like the hectic in my blood he rages, and thou must cure me. Till I know ’tis done” (Act 4. Scene 4). The King is relieved that Hamlet is gone, and can no longer tell his secret; but when Hamlet returns the King feels his secret is threatened. This threat causes the King to set up a plan to kill Hamlet, so that his secret is safe for good. He sets up the dual that is intended to kill Hamlet, and he comes up with a back-up plan in case the dual does not work. The King says, “And that he calls for drink, I’ll have prepared him A chalice for the nonce, whereon but sipping, if he by chance escape your venomed stuck” (Act 4. Scene 7). This blindness of greed, and selfishness caused the King to create a plan to kill Hamlet, which backfired and killed everyone, including the…

    • 949 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Lies And Deception

    • 422 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Claudius deceives Hamlet into going to England, sending him to his death. Claudius deceives Rosencrantz and Guildenstern into unknowingly carry Hamlet’s death warrant on board. Claudius plans a dual between Hamlet and Laertes with an undull sword in hopes to kill Hamlet. Claudius also poisons the wine cup which backfires and instead kills Gertrude. In Claudius’s deception he eludes the people around him.…

    • 422 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays