Symbolism In Hamlet

The story Hamlet can be interpreted in many different ways. Shakespeare's goal was to make a broad spectrum of meanings. The themes can be death, revenge, and madness. This stories touches on each aspect of those themes that Hamlet experiences. Throughout this play Shakespeare successfully creates an image of death being all around us through symbolism of his theme.
I would consider Death as the major theme throughout this entire play. Many examples present themselves, one being Polonius and Ophelia death in the beginning of the play and then another when Ophelia is buried. Another time death comes forth is when Hamlet plans the deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern which are his childhood best friends. The play is set in action by the death
This is discussed when Hamlet arrives in the courtyard and finds Yorick’s skull which was his childhood butler and friend. This skull represents death and afterlife. When Hamlet picks up the skull of Yorick in the graveyard, he starts to think back on all the good times they had together with Yorick and contemplates what happens after one has passed away. Hamlet then realizes that it does not matter what kind of person you were, everybody dies and ends up buried in the ground. He also questions the importance of making one’s life worthy while you are living it. This emphasizes the importance of making life meaningful. He talks about how someone like Yorick could end up in the same position and place as someone such Alexander the Great. (Hamlet Act V Scene I Line:
When Old Hamlet is sleeping in the garden and Claudius sneaks up and pours poison into Old Hamlet’s ear which kills him, it demonstrates greed and how the want for power can corrupt even the ones close to you. In this case, greediness for power has corrupted Claudius into conjuring up the plan to kill his brother. Later in the story, when Laertes and Claudius plan to kill Hamlet for revenge, they also decide to use poison, which is ironic. When the poison actually comes into play during the fencing match. Queen Gertrude ends up accidentally drinking the poison wine, Laertes and Hamlet get cut with the poison tipped foil, then Hamlet stabs Claudius and makes him drink the rest of the poison