William Shakespeare is arguably the greatest playwright of the seventeenth century. His talents continue to shine through his sonnets, comedies, and tragedies. From 1601 to 1609, Shakespeare crafted his four great tragedies: King Lear, Othello, Macbeth, and Hamlet. All four of these plays contain a tragic hero, who either dies or experiences a dramatic downfall because of his tragic flaw. Hamlet’s tragic flaw is his inability to act to avenge his father's death; however, corruption in Denmark is also a prevalent issue throughout the play. In Hamlet, as Hamlet leaves to follow his ghostly father King Hamlet, Marcellus states that “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” (1.4.22) These words are immensely significant because they are spoken
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Throughout the play, it is clear that the characters believe the use of deception is the only way to find truth. Ironically, the characters preserve their interests and honor through scheming against each other. The masks of all the characters are strained throughout the entire play until they crack open and end the characters’ lives. The characters’ fate demonstrates that deception is not a productive way to obtain truth and spur productive action. Though Hamlet retains the reader’s sympathy at the end of the play, he has murdered five people and caused the suicide of one. But Hamlet can still decide Denmark's future by effectively appointing a successor. Thus, the corruption dies with him; all the inevitable justice is carried out; and Hamlet's legacy remains. He obtains an honorable death and the chance of stability for the future of his country. The deception of the characters causes mass chaos in Denmark and ultimately, the country is left in the hands of the Fortinbras, the young Prince of Norway. Disputes and suspicious activity at the top of the political hierarchy, the marriage of Claudius and Gertrude, and the death of King Hamlet all contribute to the overall theme of corruption throughout Hamlet. Most of this corruption stems from deception, which causes unnecessary problems in Denmark. The corrupt characters cause chaos in Denmark on an interpersonal and governmental level, eventually preventing both from
Throughout the play, it is clear that the characters believe the use of deception is the only way to find truth. Ironically, the characters preserve their interests and honor through scheming against each other. The masks of all the characters are strained throughout the entire play until they crack open and end the characters’ lives. The characters’ fate demonstrates that deception is not a productive way to obtain truth and spur productive action. Though Hamlet retains the reader’s sympathy at the end of the play, he has murdered five people and caused the suicide of one. But Hamlet can still decide Denmark's future by effectively appointing a successor. Thus, the corruption dies with him; all the inevitable justice is carried out; and Hamlet's legacy remains. He obtains an honorable death and the chance of stability for the future of his country. The deception of the characters causes mass chaos in Denmark and ultimately, the country is left in the hands of the Fortinbras, the young Prince of Norway. Disputes and suspicious activity at the top of the political hierarchy, the marriage of Claudius and Gertrude, and the death of King Hamlet all contribute to the overall theme of corruption throughout Hamlet. Most of this corruption stems from deception, which causes unnecessary problems in Denmark. The corrupt characters cause chaos in Denmark on an interpersonal and governmental level, eventually preventing both from