Theme Of Trust In Hamlet

In the play, “ The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” there is a relevant theme of not being able to trust anyone around you, especially family. This theme is represented in Act 1.4 by a loyal guard named Marcellus, a close friend named Horatio, and the Prince of Denmark, Hamlet. This scene is also important because of the foreshadowing events that led to Hamlet's downfall. The scene begins outside the walls, where the play began. Hamlet enters with his friends Horatio and Marcellus, to investigate the ghost who is believed to be King Hamlet. While waiting, Hamlet and Horatio discuss the celebration inside the castle, and Hamlet complains that the tradition of getting drunk and partying, continued under Claudius and Gertrude’s ragin, has given other Danes a bad reputation. The first shift in this scene is within lines 19 through 21. Hamlet seems to believe that the people of Denmark are seen as drunks by other nations. “This heavy-headed revel east and west makes us traduced
In the line, “Angels and ministers of grace defend us!” Hamlet is worried about his safety. This phrase is a christian invocation of divine assistance, meant to protect Hamlet from what he thinks could possibly be an evil spirit. Hamlet at this point is calling the ghost his father, in line 44, “ i’ll call thee Hamlet.” Hamlet has not yet spoken to the ghost, and has made no determination as to weather the ghost is or isn’t his father's ghost. Throughout act 1, everyone is confused on what to call the figure. In 2.2, Hamlet questions the ghost’s identity and broods over whether he should kill his uncle on the word of the what could just be a demon sent to damn him, however he chooses to trust the spirit as if it were his father. This is foreshadowing to the theme of not always trusting those around you, even if they are family because he is interesting this ghosts words that the king killed his