Political Corruption In Hamlet, Macbeth And King Lear

Political corruption is seen in various tragedies by William Shakespeare. However, what are the effects of politics of the state on the individual and identity of character? As Marcellus says to Horatio “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” (1.4.), it becomes clear that on some level the Political corruption and transformation of morality in Hamlet’s Denmark is noticed. As a political body is poorly managed there are consequences. One should see it as a ripple effect. The choices of State have an effect on the individual level. Political corruption effects characters in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear. Within each work political mismanagement results in the transformation of characters. For some, they fight it, and for …show more content…
One must remember that Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark, and such would influence his perception of self. As Berry states, “Hamlet is a Dane. His consciousness is rooted in the collective of a single nation state. But that does not impart a security on Hamlet” (). In Hamlets own words “Denmark’s a prison.”(3.3.11). The little comfort or security Hamlet feels is due to the transformation of his nation. “Denmark is Denmark, King and country are one. Claudius has taken over more than the throne, he has claimed as Dane a part of Hamlet’s self-hood, his identity.”(Berry ). When Claudius kills King Hamlet for the throne he has changed Denmark. “The King doth wake tonight and takes his rouse./ Keeps wassail and the swaggering upsprings reals.”(1.4.9-10). As Claudius and Denmark drink and dance, Hamlet explains to Horatio that things were different when his father was alive. Drinking in excess was not common in the court. This is one transformation of state Hamlet acknowledges. The morality of the Claudius’ nation is called into question. The transformation of Denmark and the death of his father leaves Hamlet stricken with grief that others do not understand or brand “unmanly”. Yet, it is Hamlet who speaks to the Ghost, and it is Hamlet that remembers his father’s Denmark. Prince Hamlet is what remains of his father’s Kingdom. His Identity is not based in Claudius’ Denmark, but his …show more content…
Lear’s identity is directly correlated with his Kingship. That would make him a driving political force in Britain. In Munson’s “The Marks of Sovereignty” The Division of the Kingdom and the Division of the Mind in King Lear”, she pays special attention to the word sovereignty in context to Lear. The first of which is “implied control over political territory.” (Munson 13). In this definition, the term holds a political meaning applied to nations and rulers. However, Munson also acknowledges that the word appeared in “metaphorical contexts… specifically the rule of reason over the baser passions and appetites.” (13). Essentially Lear’s Kingship is sovereign over Britain, but in turn the political choices he makes for Britain will have sovereignty over him. Like Hamlet and Macbeth before him, Lear is connected to his throne. However, when Lear parts with his throne he is unable to part from his identity as king. This is seen with his company of one hundred knights and retaining the title of King. Lear still wishes to retain some form of control. However, his daughters do not like the idea of their father keeping an army. Lear, like Macbeth, has a hand in the “political chaos”. He divides his kingdom between two daughters who claim to “love” him and disowns his daughter that truly does. Lear does not listen to reason from his servant, Kent that what he is doing will only cause