Tragedies are rather emotionally charged, as in, not only do they include drama but they also incorporate tragic humor. The two major reoccurring themes in Hamlet are, decay and corruption and appearance vs. reality. Through these themes, Shakespeare successfully develops the plot around the concept of family rivalry and the tragic events that follow when the corrupted mind of a character is disguised. Hamlet is a dramatic tragedy that follows the downfall of major characters: Hamlet, Claudius, Laertes, Ophelia, Polonius, and Gertrude. While, the following familial relationships: Claudius and Hamlet, Polonius and Ophelia, and Claudius and Hamlet Senior portray how the decay of a character can stem from the corruption within their own family.
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However, Hamlet was not the first of his bloodline to clash with Claudius. Despite being a major character in the play, Hamlet Senior is only introduced as a ghost, whereas his decay is set before the start of the play, ignited by his worst enemy, his brother; Claudius. The constant reminder of Hamlet Senior’s demise causes the downfall of many others within the play. To begin with, Claudius schemed to steal his lifestyle. In act I scene 5 Old king Hamlet’s ghost reveals to his son Hamlet that he had been poisoned by his own brother (Hamlet’s uncle and now step-father) (I.v.62-70). After accomplishing to do so, Claudius not only marries Gertrude, but also disconnects King Hamlet’s beloved son from …show more content…
”My Lord, as I was sewing in my chamber, / Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced, / No hat upon his head, … Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other”, (II.i.79-82).
She consults her father, Polonius. Instead of wanting to communicate with Hamlet if he truly did believe “Mad for thy love”! (II.i.86), Polonius assists the King and Queen in finding the root of Hamlet’s troubles. In act II scene ii Polonius proposes a plan to Claudius about spying on Hamlet and Ophelia. To show loyalty to the king, Polonius willingly offers Ophelia to be used as a scapegoat for the plan, offering a glimpse of his manipulative nature. Sensing the presence of another during their interface, Hamlet changes his attitude towards Ophelia, leaving her hopeless: “O heavenly powers, restore him”! (III.i.141), “O, help him, you sweet heavens”! (III.i.134). Ophelia’s madness directly transgresses from Polonius offering aid to Claudius, as Polonius set up a talk with Hamlet and Gertrude where he could eavesdrop on them and it is exactly where he got killed. Although a good father to Laertes, Polonius’ deceitful relationship with Ophelia is the main driving factor for Ophelia’s ultimate downfall and
However, Hamlet was not the first of his bloodline to clash with Claudius. Despite being a major character in the play, Hamlet Senior is only introduced as a ghost, whereas his decay is set before the start of the play, ignited by his worst enemy, his brother; Claudius. The constant reminder of Hamlet Senior’s demise causes the downfall of many others within the play. To begin with, Claudius schemed to steal his lifestyle. In act I scene 5 Old king Hamlet’s ghost reveals to his son Hamlet that he had been poisoned by his own brother (Hamlet’s uncle and now step-father) (I.v.62-70). After accomplishing to do so, Claudius not only marries Gertrude, but also disconnects King Hamlet’s beloved son from …show more content…
”My Lord, as I was sewing in my chamber, / Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced, / No hat upon his head, … Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other”, (II.i.79-82).
She consults her father, Polonius. Instead of wanting to communicate with Hamlet if he truly did believe “Mad for thy love”! (II.i.86), Polonius assists the King and Queen in finding the root of Hamlet’s troubles. In act II scene ii Polonius proposes a plan to Claudius about spying on Hamlet and Ophelia. To show loyalty to the king, Polonius willingly offers Ophelia to be used as a scapegoat for the plan, offering a glimpse of his manipulative nature. Sensing the presence of another during their interface, Hamlet changes his attitude towards Ophelia, leaving her hopeless: “O heavenly powers, restore him”! (III.i.141), “O, help him, you sweet heavens”! (III.i.134). Ophelia’s madness directly transgresses from Polonius offering aid to Claudius, as Polonius set up a talk with Hamlet and Gertrude where he could eavesdrop on them and it is exactly where he got killed. Although a good father to Laertes, Polonius’ deceitful relationship with Ophelia is the main driving factor for Ophelia’s ultimate downfall and