The history to which William Shakespeare alludes, in his play, Hamlet, is the conflict of the corrupt English aristocracy (Goldstein). Undoubtedly, a governing body that has a great amount of power will participate in fraudulent acts, even royal courts. “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark,” as a guard states; and the source of the rottenness is King Claudius (1.4.90). Furthermore, the appearance of the late Hamlet’s ghost has little to do with foreign invasion and everything to do with internal affairs (Dunne). The overall corruption of Denmark is a result of a combination of greed, manipulation, and revenge. As Claudius’s evil ways spread throughout the kingdom, the court is forced to face its ultimate fate: death.
Greed is the root of all evil. This saying holds true as Claudius’s avarice and selfishness for the throne is the catalyst for the events and downfall of other characters in the play. Claudius is overcome with jealousy, for his brother Hamlet wears the crown, and Claudius wants that power. He first kills King Hamlet; however, according to succession, Hamlet’s son is destined to be king. To secure his throne, Claudius marries his sister-in-law; “Of those effects for which [he] did the murder, …show more content…
The deceased Hamlet yearns for justice and revenge. He sends his ghost to assign the task to Hamlet, “If thou didst ever thy dear father love… / Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (1.5.23-25). Throughout the play, Hamlet contemplates the idea of murder. In an attempt to avenge Claudius, Hamlet mistakenly stabs Polonius instead, which along with Claudius’s guidance, motivates Laertes to, in return, kill Hamlet. Claudius’s corrupt nature is enough to justify revenge (Goldstein). His insensitive act of murder sparks the vengeance that Hamlet, and even Laertes
Greed is the root of all evil. This saying holds true as Claudius’s avarice and selfishness for the throne is the catalyst for the events and downfall of other characters in the play. Claudius is overcome with jealousy, for his brother Hamlet wears the crown, and Claudius wants that power. He first kills King Hamlet; however, according to succession, Hamlet’s son is destined to be king. To secure his throne, Claudius marries his sister-in-law; “Of those effects for which [he] did the murder, …show more content…
The deceased Hamlet yearns for justice and revenge. He sends his ghost to assign the task to Hamlet, “If thou didst ever thy dear father love… / Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (1.5.23-25). Throughout the play, Hamlet contemplates the idea of murder. In an attempt to avenge Claudius, Hamlet mistakenly stabs Polonius instead, which along with Claudius’s guidance, motivates Laertes to, in return, kill Hamlet. Claudius’s corrupt nature is enough to justify revenge (Goldstein). His insensitive act of murder sparks the vengeance that Hamlet, and even Laertes