Hamlet Rottenness Of Society Essay

In Hamlet, various people contribute to the rottenness of Denmark. These people each have behavioral traits that signify their behavior being emblematic of an ill society. Claudius's actions are rotten due to his tendency to disguise his actions from Hamlet and others in his court. Claudius has killed his brother and married his brothers wife yet thinks nothing of it and considers himself to be a decent person. Claudius is selfish and superficial. By focusing on himself, he makes Denmark rotten. Hamlet compares Claudius to the Greek deity Hyperion twice in the play. Hyperion in Greek Mythology is the titan of light and a powerful and pure being. Hamlet also refers to him a lecher, which is a self-indulgent and repugnant, which is in strong
The development of Ophelia's is another expression of rottenness in Denmark's royalty and society. Her death also is one that she herself inflicted through her drowning. Only after Ophelia's death does Hamlet express his affections towards her. When she was still alive Hamlet spouted vulgarities at her in various scenes in the play. This once again expresses how Hamlet prefers people postmortem, as demonstrated with Ophelia's death and Polonius's death.

Laertes represents the rottenness of society through his impulsive actions. For example, during the scene where Ophelia is finally rested in her grave, Laertes jumps in without hesitation into the grave. Hamlet soon follows and they both enter the grave of Ophelia. This is one of the rare occurrences in which Hamlet takes action. Polonius spies and follows Claudius throughout the play. Polonius also tries to corrupt Laertes by sending him to Paris, which in the plays setting was considered a gambling city.

Additional contributions to the state of rottenness in Denmark are the actions of Claudius in the past. Claudius's behavior in general is a reflection of Denmark as a whole. In one of his monologues, Claudius demonstrates his desire to send Hamlet away so he may keep his place on the