Corruption In Hamlet Research Paper

In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the theme of corruption and decay is a running feature. We follow a sequence of this corruption mostly through one character, King Claudius, which inevitably leads to all other characters who come in contact with this man being ultimately tarnished also. The very moment we are informed of Claudius’ “foul and most unnatural murder”, the state of Denmark begins to perish. I believe that this evident theme of corruption and decay is reinforced by Shakespeare time and time again by his masterful use of dominant images throughout. Shakespeare tends to create patterns of imagery to define his characters and in this case his themes.

I will discuss three images in relation to the play’s theme. One form of this imagery is that of the weed, which despite best efforts to overcome it, still manages to thrive and overrun the better part of human nature. Similar to the multiplication of weeds is the spread of disease, another potent metaphor that is used often throughout Hamlet. Finally, there is poison, which acts in many forms both literally and metaphorically.

We are first introduced to the image of the disease and the weed near the beginning of the play. Shakespeare uses the image of the weed
It runs throughout the play and causes death and disorder in Denmark. The use of poison both begins and ends the play, and metaphorically runs throughout, causing disorder, ruining relationships and corrupting the nation. Denmark is plunged into disorder and corrupted by the poisoning of King Hamlet. To Hamlet, Denmark is even more poisoned than it is to other characters. He sees his whole world as having been thrown in to disorder by the death of his father, and he thinks “Denmark’s a prison”. Hamlet tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern this because he feels that while he is in Denmark his life is poisoned and corrupted by Claudius having the