Betrayal In Hamlet

Improved Essays
Show More
What is William Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, about? Is it about revenge, betrayal, good versus evil, order versus disorder, or even madness? That's the catch, it’s not about a specific topic, it’s about every one of those topics. That’s the beauty about Hamlet and every other play written by Shakespeare. Each play is about multiple themes that work in between and with each other to characterize the play as a whole. However, although each play is unique in their own way, there are similar themes that develop across multiple of Shakespeare's plays. Three of the main themes that are displayed over Shakespeare’s plays include betrayal, revenge, and good versus evil. Subsequently, through these topics, disregarding the play, Shakespeare can communicate a common moral message to society through his writing. Betrayal can be described when a bond, agreement, or trust between individuals is violated or …show more content…
Shakespeare uses betrayal as a theme in a number of his plays. Prime examples include Hamlet and Julius Caesar. In Hamlet, the main act of betrayal happens when Gertrude (the Queen) and Claudius (The King's brother) have an affair. Not only does this act alone betray the King himself, but by committing the most unnatural murder of the King, Gertrude and Claudius betray the monarchy, Hamlet (the son of the King and Queen), and everyone who believed the death of the king was accidental. The ghost of the late king appears to Hamlet and claims Claudius to be an “incestuous… adulterate beast, With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts— O wicked wit and gifts, that have the power So to seduce!” (Hamlet, 1:5:49-52). This only confirms the act and proves the kings hurt from being betrayed by his own blood. The series of events that follow are driven by the hurt that developed from betrayal. It is speculated that the appearance of the ghost of the king is only

Related Documents

  • Great Essays

    How Does Laertes Get Revenge In Hamlet
    • 1184 Words
    • 5 Pages

    How Does Laertes Get Revenge In Hamlet

    Revenge tragedies often have barbarous scenes, a play within a play, grievances, and vengeful apparitions. In the play Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, readers often see these key topics throughout the work and can associate them with the cycle between justice and revenge. Readers meet several characters in the play who attempt aggressive attacks to prove vengeance for their departed family, but as they grow more conscious of their problems, the characters mature out of their blood thirsty revenge and shape it into justice. Hamlet seeks forceful revenge when he is first approached by his father’s apparition, but, as his mind labors itself with countless thoughts, he feels more justice than revenge when he eventually finds action. Laertes,…

    • 1184 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Examples Of Betrayal In Hamlet
    • 782 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Examples Of Betrayal In Hamlet

    Hamlet’s betrayal was like watching his heart be ripped from his chest. He could see and feel the pain, but he couldn’t do anything about it because he needs a heart to live. Betrayal is most commonly found in the form of sheer lust and temper, but William Shakespeare's play Hamlet also shows betrayal through the manipulation of wretched friends. Lust; everyone feels it. There are different kinds of it floating around like mindless butterflies.…

    • 782 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Why Does Hamlet Murder Sanctuarize Or Revenge Should Have No Bounds
    • 715 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Why Does Hamlet Murder Sanctuarize Or Revenge Should Have No Bounds

    Shakespeare’s overall message that revenge does have boundaries is shown through tragedies that Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras are put through due to their drive for revenge. Each of these characters seek vengeance for the murder of their fathers and each show the different effect that impulse can have and how it is human nature to run after it. To begin, Hamlet, the young prince of Denmark who mourns the death of his loved father, is shown In the early scenes…

    • 715 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Claudius Responsible For The Death And Insanity In William Shakespeare's Hamlet
    • 1990 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Claudius Responsible For The Death And Insanity In William Shakespeare's Hamlet

    In William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet, Claudius establishes himself as responsible for the death and destruction of many characters through the heinous act of murdering his brother, King Hamlet. Early in the play, a ghost, who resembles the dead King, appears to Hamlet and tells him the truth about his death. He was in fact murdered by Claudius. Hamlet becomes vengeful and begins to take on an act of lunacy. After Hamlet discovers the truth of his father’s death, his need for revenge escalates and causes a chain of events that influence many of the character’s actions and behaviors all leading back to Claudius.…

    • 1990 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Betrayal In Hamlet
    • 397 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Betrayal In Hamlet

    This essay will be about the book Hamlet by, William Shakespeare, and the betrayal Hamlet has experienced throughout the book. Hamlets family, and friends has betrayed him the most. The people that betrayed him the most were, Gertrude, Guildenstern, Rosencrantz and somewhat his mother. I will be presenting who I feel betrayed Hamlet the most, and including how I feel about it. I feel that Cladius should be the most guilty, because he is included in the death of Hamlets father which is a sensitive subject for Hamlet.…

    • 397 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Suspense In Hamlet
    • 282 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Suspense In Hamlet

    In the drama, “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” William Shakespeare challenges readers to interpret the actions the characters are portraying and what tragedies are being faced. The play was published during the 1600s. The author’s plot of the story in the third through fifth acts is about what will happen in the end, while the revenge is sought. The suspense was built up as Hamlet is not happy with the actions of Claudius, along with the death of his father. Hamlet sets up a play to see if Claudius is the person who killed his father.…

    • 282 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Great Essays

    Hamlet Spying Analysis
    • 1481 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Hamlet Spying Analysis

    In William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” there are many themes and motifs that are used such as suicide, murder, poison, betrayal, revenge, and spying. The motif of spying is utilized by William Shakespeare to display the uncertainty amongst characters and within the kingdom. SPying also leads to distrust amongst characters andalso reveals how characters such as Polonius turn to spying as a solution freguqently. When spying is seen in Hamlet typically the character who is using spying to their advantage is usually uncertain, scared, or trying to protect themselves. Spying appears very early in the play and starts to happen less and less as the play progresses.…

    • 1481 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Acts Of Revenge In Hamlet
    • 607 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Acts Of Revenge In Hamlet

    Hamlet sees a ghost, later we find out the ghost is Hamlet's father, telling hamlet to seek revenge. Hamlet replies to his father, "Speak; I am bound to hear." by him saying this he implies that its duty to listen to his father "So art thou to revenge, when thou shalt hear"(act 1 scene 5). Shortly after the ghost restates the message, but more blunt. " Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder"(act 1 scene 5 ) meaning if hamlet ever truly loved his father he will seek revenge.…

    • 607 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Consequences Of Deception In William Shakespeare's Hamlet
    • 1643 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Consequences Of Deception In William Shakespeare's Hamlet

    Deception leading down a destructive path ending in corruption is a primary theme displayed in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Deceit is like quicksand because the more someone sinks into it the more they struggle to get out and getting out of it is the hardest part. The characters around Hamlet sink into the deceit and corruption so quickly that they can no longer act as they normally would. They begin to act irrationally and be completely filled with the lies they tell. One single thing does not cause the deception amongst the characters though.…

    • 1643 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Hamlet Revenge Essay
    • 1784 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Hamlet Revenge Essay

    The ghost appeared before Hamlet and told him “…a tale unfold whose lightest word/Would harrow up thy soul…” (1.5.19-20). The tale was bout his father’s murder. It wanted Hamlet to “…revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (1.5.25). Hamlet…

    • 1784 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Decent Essays

    Mistrust And Mistrust In Shakespeare's Hamlet
    • 750 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Mistrust And Mistrust In Shakespeare's Hamlet

    In the main storyline the main character Hamlet was convinced that the king killed his father which was stated by his father’s ghost. In which he didn’t really…

    • 750 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
    Read More
  • Superior Essays

    Oedipus Complex In Hamlet
    • 1089 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Oedipus Complex In Hamlet

    Hamlet, a play written by Shakespeare, is based on the classic idea of revenge, tragedy, and the underlying dedication and ambition behind the act of deceit. Hamlet is the main character who displays the aspects of human nature. He is undergoing an inner debate on whether or not he wants to kill Claudius who is now not only his uncle, but also the king after his father’s death by getting together with Hamlet’s mother. The audience understands his frustration with his mother and uncle’s actions, but one theory suggests that Hamlet is longing for revenge against his uncle only because he wants to be romantically involved with his mother.…

    • 1089 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    The Theme Of Disillusionment In Shakespeare's Hamlet
    • 1220 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Theme Of Disillusionment In Shakespeare's Hamlet

    Although Hamlet could not take action, the concept of revenge draped over his conscience. Not only did his mother’s actions underscore Hamlet’s anger, but also with his high regard of Old Hamlet, “like a Hyperion,” his grief was intensified (1.2.141). Because of Hamlet’s reverent view of Old Hamlet, the encounter with the ghost deepened Hamlet’s anger towards Claudius. When speaking to the ghost, Hamlet was given the story of how Old Hamlet was actually killed. The knowledge of Claudius’ mischievous actions causes Hamlet to seek revenge, fulfilling the ghost’s wishes.…

    • 1220 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Improved Essays

    Betrayal In Psychology
    • 660 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Betrayal In Psychology

    Betrayal is the breaking or violation of a trust or confidence that produces a moral and psychological conflict within a relationship between people. This act usually discloses information that was not supposed to be shared with other individuals. This act also produces a lot of distress upon the person who is betrayed. Another definition of betrayal is to disappoint the hopes and expectations of individuals who are close to us. Both definitions are important because they illustrate how betrayal is a terrible action that should not be done.…

    • 660 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
    Read More
  • Great Essays

    Revenge In Shakespeare's Hamlet
    • 1514 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Revenge In Shakespeare's Hamlet

    “Hamlet:” Revenge The play, Hamlet by Shakespeare, is a tale of revenge. The notion of revenge is presented when the story begins. The ghost of Hamlet’s father appears at the stroke of midnight to Hamlet and tells him of how he was murdered by his Uncle Claudius (who is the current ruler). Hamlet is reluctant to believe this information, but cannot bring himself to deny that it is true.…

    • 1514 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
    Read More

Related Topics

Ready To Get Started?
Discover
Company
Follow
©2024 Cram.com
Privacy Policy |  About Ads |  Site Map |  Advertise  | 
  • Cookie Settings