Effects Of Immorality In Hamlet

Everyone has morals and whether they can hold onto them and act appropriately varies from person to person. William Shakespeare’s Hamlet explores this topic. First published in 1603, this play is about a prince whose father has recently died and the chaos that follows. The play focuses on the idea of revenge and the effects that follow. One of the main themes in Hamlet is that moral corruption can cause dysfunction within a family and state. This idea is explored throughout the many conflicts in the play. Shakespeare demonstrates that immorality has negative effects that provoke chaos within a family and state through Hamlet’s conflict with Claudius, his conflict with Laertes, and his conflict with himself. First, Hamlet’s conflict with Claudius …show more content…
First, Hamlet triggers the conflict between the two of them, causing trouble within both of their families. Hamlet kills Laertes father, Polonius, which causes indirectly invites Laertes to seek revenge. As a result, Hamlet’s family turns on him and Laertes’ sister, Ophelia, commits suicide; this shows the chaos that arises as a result of Hamlet’s immoral action. Later, at Ophelia’s funeral procession, Hamlet and Laertes’ conflict heightens and causes more distress within the family. Laertes says, “[t]he devil take thy soul” (V, i, 243), which then leads to the two of them wrestling in front of Ophelia’s grave in front of family. After this, Claudius tells Laertes that the plan to kill Hamlet will soon take place. Their conflict being displayed during a burial is unethical and only causes dysfunction within the family as they are ready to cause more death. Lastly, Laertes actively takes part in the plan to kill Hamlet. As mentioned before, this plan succeeds, but has disastrous effects on the rest of the family; many deaths occur, including the death of Laertes himself. The dishonourable acts of murder within the family, that result from the dispute between the two men, show the downfall of the family and the fallout of the state. Overall, the conflict between Hamlet and Laertes shows how moral corruption is …show more content…
First, Hamlet’s battle with himself forces him to feign madness. Hamlet has recently been informed of the true cause of his father’s death, which makes him want to kill Claudius. His madness, that he uses to cover up his inner feelings about this matter and to disguise his suspicions, drives Hamlet to actually become insane and cause problems within his family. Hamlet’s madness causes his family and friends to betray him, which is unjust, and it shows how Hamlet’s internal conflict triggers immoral acts that lead to madness within the family and the state. Second, Hamlet’s depression, that arises partly from his conflict with himself about whether he should kill himself or not, causes him and his family to be troubled. Hamlet’s famous soliloquy starts with, “[t]o be, or not to be? That is the question” (III, i, 57), and then further talks about the advantages and disadvantages of suicide; Hamlet’s family is already worried for him and his evident depression only causes more trouble. His consideration of this act of suicide, which is considered to be unethical, shows how his conflict with himself is causing distress with himself which subsequently causes distress among his family. Lastly, Hamlet’s internal conflict with his morals causes him to be hesitant in his actions, which only causes more chaos. Hamlet wants to murder Claudius, but he