Theme Of Corruption In Hamlet

Have you ever been betrayed? Have you ever seen someone corrupted from greed? The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is a twisted tale, full of many twists and confusing turns. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is packed to the very top with: disease, corruption, and treason.
There is no actual physical disease in Denmark. However William Shakespeare left plenty of imagery for the reader to think so. Shakespeare did this to “reinforce the central idea that Denmark is dying”(Mabillard) and the new king is spreading a disease that doesn't exist, which is slowly killing Denmark. One might also say that the royal family is the cause, or other outside forces are affecting Denmark. Shakespeare gives us imagery like “If the sun breed maggots in a dead dog”(2.2 173-174) showing us that maybe Denmark was dying long before the new king. Possibly the old king or even young Prince Hamlet or maybe it was the citizens of Denmark were the ones that caused all of the chaos. Could Fortinbras have planned this the whole time? Perhaps the whole royal family was the cause of the corruption.
Shakespeare subtly hints that somebody, or something, has spread corruption through Denmark. Young Prince Hamlet’s obsession with revenge only showed the corruption that was Thomas 2 put there by the royal family.
Young Prince Hamlet’s obsession brought out the worst in people, and once the worst was out there was no unseeing what he had seen. Young Prince Hamlet’s thinking could have possibly even showed the corruption he brought upon Denmark. After so much thinking “Hamlet himself is a victim of a deep melancholy”(Mabillard) revealing after so much thought, he possibly realized what he and the royal family had brought to Denmark. Even the guardsman Marcellus said “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”(1.4 95) revealing he knew something was going on, or something was about to start. Young Prince Hamlet himself was corrupt; he just didn't show it. It was not until the end young Prince Hamlet realized what was happening and saw the treason. But by the time young Prince Hamlet had seen the truth it was too late and he had to do something or Denmark would
suffer. Both young Prince Hamlet and King Claudius are guilty of committing treason. One might say Claudius is one of the worst cases of treason in The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Many question why would King Claudius commit treason, and what were his causes. King Claudius was power hungry, wanted wealth and to be untouchable. Even so “Claudius’s reaction was that of a guilty man”(Folger Shakespeare Library) showing that King Claudius wasn't untouchable. His guilt is proof of that. When young Prince Hamlet found out, he plotted to kill the new king (treason). When word of this wicked plan gets around “Claudius sends Hamlet away as part of a deadly plot”(Folger Shakespeare Library) confirming the new king is scared and his corruption takes over his train of thought. Since young prince Hamlet is a, heir to the throne, plotting against him is actually treason. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark was a twisted tale, full of twisting and confusing turns. The Royal Family was destroying Denmark, but soon all will be well as young King Fortinbras will take over and bring Denmark back to full glory once again. The Royal family is the cause of the chaos; they spread disease (destroyed Denmark), spread corruption, and committed treason against one another. Have they corrupted you?