Theme Of Selfishness In Hamlet
How does Hamlet respond to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s treachery?
When Hamlet discovers the treacherous plan to be carried out by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, he responds with annoyance and a slight touch anger, stating, “How all occasions do inform against me, and spur my dull revenge!” (4.4 31-32). Hamlet is upset that the series of events that are currently unfolding are hindering his plans to fulfill the wishes of his father and take revenge on Claudius. Subsequently, if he is executed, these plans that Hamlet has already procrastinated on will be further delayed, and possibly never fulfilled.
What are the character differences between Claudius and Hamlet?
The characters Claudius and Hamlet differ in a variety of aspects. One key characteristic that separates the two is the idea of selflessness and selfishness. Claudius’ behaviour throughout the play is utterly self-serving; every act carried out by the current ruler is done entirely for his own personal gain at the expense of others. By murdering the late Hamlet and marrying his widow, Claudius throws the entire state of Denmark out of order and it only serves to hasten his ambitions of becoming a …show more content…
The first quotation, stated by Marcellus, is, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” (1.4, 90). This is a metaphoric reference to the idea of corruption and “disease” festering within the royal family and beyond. The death of Hamlet has disrupted the ongoing peace that existed within the country, and is now bringing about malicious occurrences such as the appearance of a ghost/possible devil with unknown intentions, which lead the audience to believe that the recent circumstances might have been the result of unnatural causes. Furthermore, the idea of rotting could also be in reference to the decay of bodies, like the one of the king, and also foreshadows the death of others that are central to the
When Hamlet discovers the treacherous plan to be carried out by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, he responds with annoyance and a slight touch anger, stating, “How all occasions do inform against me, and spur my dull revenge!” (4.4 31-32). Hamlet is upset that the series of events that are currently unfolding are hindering his plans to fulfill the wishes of his father and take revenge on Claudius. Subsequently, if he is executed, these plans that Hamlet has already procrastinated on will be further delayed, and possibly never fulfilled.
What are the character differences between Claudius and Hamlet?
The characters Claudius and Hamlet differ in a variety of aspects. One key characteristic that separates the two is the idea of selflessness and selfishness. Claudius’ behaviour throughout the play is utterly self-serving; every act carried out by the current ruler is done entirely for his own personal gain at the expense of others. By murdering the late Hamlet and marrying his widow, Claudius throws the entire state of Denmark out of order and it only serves to hasten his ambitions of becoming a …show more content…
The first quotation, stated by Marcellus, is, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” (1.4, 90). This is a metaphoric reference to the idea of corruption and “disease” festering within the royal family and beyond. The death of Hamlet has disrupted the ongoing peace that existed within the country, and is now bringing about malicious occurrences such as the appearance of a ghost/possible devil with unknown intentions, which lead the audience to believe that the recent circumstances might have been the result of unnatural causes. Furthermore, the idea of rotting could also be in reference to the decay of bodies, like the one of the king, and also foreshadows the death of others that are central to the