Betrayal In Hamlet By William Shakespeare

Hamlet is a play by William Shakespeare that portrays the lives of a royal family. The play begins when watchmen supposedly see a ghost, and bring a scholar to verify the apparition. Horatio, the scholar, says it is indeed a ghost. The ghost resembles the deceased king, and they decide that they must go tell his son. When they find Hamlet, they teach him of this being, and he exclaims that he wishes to see it. When Hamlet and the other men are taking watch, the ghost appears. The ghost gestures for Hamlet to speak with him, so he leaves his group. Upon talking to his deceased father, he learns that there is more than meets the eye to his death. This is an important note for the reader to take throughout the entirety of the play. Shakespeare
excellently begins to introduce develop and his theme in act one through his use of events and characters, consequently driving the rest of the play.
In act one, Shakespeare reveals a theme of betrayal is swiftly followed by revenge through the event of Hamlet learning of how his father died and the character, Hamlet, swearing to avenge his father’s death. To begin, once Hamlet follows the ghost away from the others, he begins to discover the truth about his father’s death. This event allows Hamlet to learn about King Claudius’ terrible act, introducing the theme and helping to drive the play. The ghost reveals this betraying action by saying, “‘Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard, a serpent stung me; so the whole ear of Denmark is by a forged process of my death rankly abused. But know, thou noble youth, the serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown’”(Shakespeare 1.5). Through this event, the reader quickly learns the betraying act by the ghost’s brother. Because the king was betrayed, Hamlet is sure to take revenge. Hamlet’s future action of avenging his father’s death is crucial in introducing and developing the theme and driving the rest of the play. Later in the play, Hamlet is enraged, and with
a mind full of revenge when he assimilates the truth behind his father’s demise. Shakespeare uses this revenge seeking character to develop the theme and drive his play. Hamlet is speaking to his father, and promises to avenge him. Through this promise, Hamlet must put on an “antic disposition” in order to successfully murder King Claudius and get away with it (Shakespeare 1.5.) Here, the reader is fully aware of the theme because of the revenge seeking mindset of Hamlet. Hamlet knows he must swear to get revenge for King Claudius’ horrible betrayal of the former king, helping in the development of the theme. This character vowing to take revenge drives the rest of the play because the reader can infer that King Claudius will eventually be murdered. These scenes develop the theme of betrayal is swiftly followed by revenge, allowing Shakespeare to successfully drive the remainder of the play. Within act one the poem Hamlet, Shakespeare reveals many important lessons through his characters and events to the reader. However, one lesson is better developed than the others, betrayal is swiftly followed by revenge. Shakespeare wishes for the reader to know that all their actions will be accounted for, especially betrayal. Shakespeare stresses to the reader the importance of not backstabbing because King Claudius’ betraying actions will eventually catch up with him, only to be paid off with death. Had the king not betrayed his brother, there would have to be no fear for his life, but since he committed this atrocity against King Hamlet, his life will surely come to an end. Although the readers’ betrayal may not be revenged with death, Shakespeare still wants the readers to take note of this advice. If this guidance is followed, Shakespeare believes reader is sure to live a more happy life; however, if the reader does not follow this excellent advice, the reader will live an unhappy life, full of pointless revenge.