Foreshadowing In Hamlet

“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” may be one of Shakespeare’s most recognizable lines in all of his works. This line is spoken by Marcellus in the first act of the play. In Shakespearean times, the supernatural, whether it be witches, magic, or ghosts, were said to be a bad omen. In Hamlet, the Ghost appears many times. The sight of the Ghost provokes Marcellus to say “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”. As a reader, one could only assume that something horrible is bound to happen. After finishing Hamlet, one would believe that the most famous line in Shakespeare’s plays was foreshadowing for all of the events that occurred throughout the play. Throughout the story, this line is proven to be true. Themes of death, revenge, lying, betrayal, suicide, spying, and insanity become apparent. Soon after Marcellus spoke the famous line, it is revealed to the reader by the Ghost that King Hamlet was betrayed and murdered by his own brother. The Ghost speaks the words “So art thou to revenge what thou shalt hear,” to Hamlet, which brings up the theme of revenge. The Ghost asked Hamlet to revenge his death by killing Claudius, the current king of Denmark. Once this idea was placed in Hamlet’s head the story …show more content…
Hamlet’s unconventional way of gaining information included pretending to be insane which involved lying to many people. In trying to uncover the murder of his father, his relationships with his mother was severed. Hamlet already felt animosity towards her for marrying her husband’s brother. However, when he found out that his uncle, now his stepfather, murdered his father, he became enraged. Hamlet decided to speak with his mother is a different way, he said “I will speak daggers to her, but use none,” He expressed to his mother his feelings on her and Claudius’ marriage without holding back. He showed her the anger he felt towards