Corruption In Hamlet Character Analysis
Corruption, noun, means dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power. When Hamlet is truly analyzed, along with the characters, you would see corruption is a similar trait going along. One could say corruption is the play itself. To quote William Shakespeare, ‘Something is rotten in the state of Denmark’ (1.4).
The first character to talk about, the obvious one, is Claudius. Claudius’ need for power causes him to murder his brother and take the throne. In act 1 scene 5 the Ghost of Hamlet Sr. says “The fat weed that roots itself in ease on Lethe Wharf”, referring to the forgetfulness of the people that let Claudius be unnoticed for the crime and take the crown. Claudius was an arrogant character that had trouble apologizing or showing …show more content…
They were childhood friends of Hamlet. King Claudius sends for them to spy on Hamlet. Hamlet soon learns their plans and later compares them to sponges. “Ay, sir, that soaks up the king’s countenance, his rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the king best service in the end. He keeps them, like an ape, in the corner of his jaw, first mouthed to be last swallowed. When he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you and, sponge, you shall be dry again”. (4.2) King Claudius writes a letter to England for Hamlet to be killed and has Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to go along to make sure it is carried out. During the trip to England Hamlet escapes and changes the letter to where Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are killed. And, the rest is history. Hamlet, the protagonist in the play, is no stranger to corruption. He’s angry after he learns of Ophelia helping the king and queen spying, along with her rejection, so he taunts her with sexual banter. Telling her to “get thee to a nunnery, go.” (3.1) or “That’s a fair thought to lie between maids' legs.” (3.2) Later in the play, Hamlet “accidentally” kills Polonius (Ophelia’s father) while in Gertrude’s chambers. With her father gone, and Hamlets rejection, Ophelia goes insane. And later dies of apparent suicide. Lies, deceit, tricks, spying, and murder was all a part of this corruption stricken play. By minor characters, by main characters.
The first character to talk about, the obvious one, is Claudius. Claudius’ need for power causes him to murder his brother and take the throne. In act 1 scene 5 the Ghost of Hamlet Sr. says “The fat weed that roots itself in ease on Lethe Wharf”, referring to the forgetfulness of the people that let Claudius be unnoticed for the crime and take the crown. Claudius was an arrogant character that had trouble apologizing or showing …show more content…
They were childhood friends of Hamlet. King Claudius sends for them to spy on Hamlet. Hamlet soon learns their plans and later compares them to sponges. “Ay, sir, that soaks up the king’s countenance, his rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the king best service in the end. He keeps them, like an ape, in the corner of his jaw, first mouthed to be last swallowed. When he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you and, sponge, you shall be dry again”. (4.2) King Claudius writes a letter to England for Hamlet to be killed and has Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to go along to make sure it is carried out. During the trip to England Hamlet escapes and changes the letter to where Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are killed. And, the rest is history. Hamlet, the protagonist in the play, is no stranger to corruption. He’s angry after he learns of Ophelia helping the king and queen spying, along with her rejection, so he taunts her with sexual banter. Telling her to “get thee to a nunnery, go.” (3.1) or “That’s a fair thought to lie between maids' legs.” (3.2) Later in the play, Hamlet “accidentally” kills Polonius (Ophelia’s father) while in Gertrude’s chambers. With her father gone, and Hamlets rejection, Ophelia goes insane. And later dies of apparent suicide. Lies, deceit, tricks, spying, and murder was all a part of this corruption stricken play. By minor characters, by main characters.