Preview

Desire Of Power In Hamlet

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
221 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Desire Of Power In Hamlet
William Shakespeare's Hamlet, is driven by desire and lure of power. The tantalizing temptation that desire exuberates is used to emphasize the traitorous and conniving attributes that the craving for power stimulates. Power can be a dangerous temptress leading men to do things they never would have dreamed of; in Hamlet's case, the death of his father.

Despite these criticisms, the desire of power remains prevalent even until now. In Hamlet, Claudius is drawn to the throne by its promises of wealth and his sister-in-law Gertrude. Claudius giving into this desire by killing his own brother shows an immense amount about his character. The first thing that comes to mind when Claudius is mentioned in weakness. Giving into such temptations for
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Claudius and Other Characters of Hamlet
    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Claudius and Other Characters of Hamlet

    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
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    How Does Steinbeck Present Claudius's Fear Of Corruption
    • 1304 Words
    • 6 Pages

    How Does Steinbeck Present Claudius's Fear Of Corruption

    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
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Social Norms Of The Elizabethan And Jacobean Era
    • 269 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Social Norms Of The Elizabethan And Jacobean Era

    Like most great writers, Shakespeare acquired his inspiration from the world that transpired around him. Cultural politics and social norms of the Elizabethan and Jacobean era are revealing too many readers through Shakespearean literature. In the play Hamlet, Shakespeare displayed precise concepts of the time period he was living in. The most evident concept shown in the play is the struggle for power between ruthless monarchs. This is most prominently noticed in the play when Claudius murders King Hamlet “I am still possess’d, Of those effects for which I did the murder My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen” (Hamlet 3.3 57-60). Claudius assassinates his King Brother out of an ambitious greed for the power of Denmark’s kingship. The…

    • 269 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Gertrude Show Betrayal In Hamlet
    • 525 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Does Gertrude Show Betrayal In Hamlet

    Through King Claudius’s choice to murder former King Hamlet and marry Gertrude, he betrays his brother, Hamlet, and even his own morals. This act of disloyalty and deceit turns Claudius against the other characters, and leads to their eventual demise.…

    • 525 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet's Uncivilized and Wild Thinking
    • 556 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Hamlet's Uncivilized and Wild Thinking

    Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare is one of the most conventional pieces of writing of all time. It’s taught in classrooms all over the United States and is known well for its forms of “uncivilized free and wild” thinking.…

    • 556 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Examples Of Guilt In Hamlet
    • 1045 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Examples Of Guilt In Hamlet

    Jealously and guilt are common motives for a course of action. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the murder of the king and Claudius’ prompt rise to the throne are obvious examples of envy. But, the play’s illustration of guilt is much more subtle and is revealed through the struggle Claudius experiences with his feelings that result from a repercussion of his actions. Claudius claims that Hamlet is mad, even though he does not believe so, to cause a diversion from the brutal truth. This idea is proven through his soliloquy and attempted prayer when he exclaims “my stronger guilt defeats my strong intent.”…

    • 1045 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    William Blake
    • 481 Words
    • 2 Pages

    William Blake

    |Claudius|I feel antipathy |He lied to everyone about the death of king Hamlet to take over the throne. He is an assassin.|Claudius is the responsible of killing the old King of Denmark ,and he lied to everyone in the kingdom , so he could take over the throne and take the widow of king hamlet as his queen. He would do anything to keep his secret from being discovered, to the point, he tried to kill Hamlet.|…

    • 481 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Motif Of Power In Macbeth
    • 564 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Motif Of Power In Macbeth

    Many people want to obtain power to satisfy their needs. Once the individual gains the power, they continue to strive to gain more without acknowledging the consequences until later. In William Shakespeare's Elizabethan tragedy Macbeth, the corruptive quality of power influences the individual to go against their nature in order to obtain power by any means necessary. Shakespeare utilizes the motif of blood to show that the steps taken to obtain power will not always yield favorable results and the consequences will stay with the individual.…

    • 564 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Hamlet: Inner Turmoil
    • 1572 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Hamlet: Inner Turmoil

    form of income that we know of, it was his way of putting the bread on the table.…

    • 1572 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Leadership In Hamlet
    • 1307 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Leadership In Hamlet

    Claudius’ subjects are not pleased with him and are in a revolt against him. He strays from Machiavelli’s path once again and failing to gain support from the people, proves Machiavelli right when Fortinbras destroys Claudius’ fortress, taking over Denmark. Even though Claudius did have his fair share of errors, he did manage to have a powerful influence. He had Old Fortinbras stop Young Fortinbras in pursuing his ambitions to overtake Denmark. Also, Claudius took the initiative to obtain a powerful alliance with the monarch of England. So much so that he asked him to execute Hamlet. All in all, Claudius used his infallible appearance to obscure his dark reality. The appearance gained him power, although the reality is what prevailed in the…

    • 1307 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Pursuit Of Agency In Hamlet
    • 718 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Pursuit Of Agency In Hamlet

    Prince Hamlet from Hamlet by William Shakespeare and Ruthie from Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson, both pursue agency which is the ability to act independently on his or her own principles. Their pursuit of agency is affected by many factors which include social position/class, family relationships, and gender. These factors would be analyzed and compared to the ideas and opinions found in the book The Republic by Plato.…

    • 718 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Analysis
    • 3020 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Hamlet Analysis

    Hamlet decides to get more information / prove what the ghost was saying before doing…

    • 3020 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Hamlet's Struggle and Disillusionment
    • 1139 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Hamlet's Struggle and Disillusionment

    In the light of your critical study, does this statement resonate with your own interpretation of Hamlet?…

    • 1139 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Examples Of Violating The Bill Of Rights
    • 78 Words
    • 1 Page

    Examples Of Violating The Bill Of Rights

    Back in the 1960's or so, people would get arrested or searched due to policeman having doubts or simply because they looked suspicious. Not a lot of people knew about the right to remain silent due to them not being aware of this act or police not telling them before the arrest or the search. Basically violating what the Bill Of Rights consisted of the fourth, fifth, sixth, and eight amendments which are the rights of the…

    • 78 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Ethics of Hamlet
    • 546 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Ethics of Hamlet

    Morality plays a major role in the decisions we make in our daily lives. Often times, emotion alters our ability to make coherent choices. In the play "Hamlet", by William Shakespeare, Hamlet encounters difficulty in making decisions as he deals with his nemesis, Claudius. In Act III Hamlet proves to be a cautious and contemplative person through his delay in avenging his father's death.…

    • 546 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics