In the play, Hamlet is the son of the former king. When King Hamlet dies, Claudius inherits the throne because Hamlet is too young to be King. Afterward, Hamlet finds out that it was Claudius that killed his father, so he devotes himself in avenging his father's death. Although he is trying to set the chain back to normal, but also disturbing it, since Claudius is King. While Hamlet finds a way to kill Claudius, he acts mad in front of people he does not trust. Polonius, being nosy and ambitious, volunteers to spy on Hamlet while he speaks to his mother. When Polonius thought Gertrude was in danger, he screams for help. Hamlet mistakes him as Claudius and kills him without even thinking. Polonius' death and Hamlet neglecting Ophelia causes her to feel lost, and go insane. "We know what we are, but know not what we may be"# This quote foreshadows how she feels lost in this world, and do not now what she is going to do in the future. She feels there are no place in the world for her anymore, so she chooses to leave it and drowns herself. Hamlet disturbing the chain has caused Polonius and Ophelia's death. This is also how it leads to how Laertes and Hamlet dies.
Hamlet killing Polonius is also disturbing the Great Chain of Being. Thus, causes the death of Laertes and himself. Killing Polonius causes Laertes to want to kill him to avenge for his father. Claudius knows that Hamlet wants to kill him, so he persuades Laertes that Polonius' death is all Hamlets fault. Claudius send Hamlet to England, thinking that he would never return after that. When he finds out that Hamlet did not die, he creates a plan with Laertes to kill Hamlet. The plan is have Laertes ad Hamlet has a duelling match, then have Laertes wound Hamlet with a poisoned sword. When Laertes and Hamlet fights in the match, Laertes wounds Hamlet with the sword, but then they switch swords and Hamlets wounds Laertes. In the end, they both die from the poisoned sword. Hamlet wanting to kill Claudius at the beginning already breaks the chain, and then he kills Polonius, causing different kinds of trouble and then death at the end.
Another character that disturbs the Great Chain of Being is Claudius. He kills his brother King Hamlet so he can be the king, and then marries his brother's wife. This causes the deaths of Polonius, Gertrude and himself. Claudius caused the death of Polonius is because if Hamlet did not want to get revenge for his father, then he would not have mistaken Polonius for Claudius and kills Polonius. "How now? a rat? Dead for a ducat, dead!"# This quote proves that Hamlet wanted to kill Claudius, instead of Polonius. Thus Polonius died for Claudius in a way. After Polonius dies, Claudius comes up with the plan of duelling match, and the poison drink in case Hamlet does not get wounded. When Hamlet wins the match, Claudius congratulates Hamlet with the poison drink, but Gertrude takes it and drinks it for her son, and dies. Then when Hamlet finds out that the plan is all Claudius' idea; he kills Claudius with the poisoned sword and makes him drink the poison drink. Claudius breaking the Great Chain of Being caused the death of himself and of other people around him. This includes how Claudius killing people or him causing their deaths.
In conclusion, the above arguments proves that in Hamlet, Shakespeare shows that disturbing the Great Chain of Being cab result a disastrous ending for anyone that is involved. In the play, Hamlet and Claudius both disturbs the chain, causing themselves and their family and friends to die. Claudius breaks the chain by killing is brother and marrying his brother's wife. Hamlet breaks it by wanting to restore the chain, since Claudius broke it, but while restoring the chain, he also breaks the chain.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Throughout the play, Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, various characters seek for revenge, including protagonist, prince Hamlet. While he seeks for revenge for his father since his uncle disgracefully killed him, Hamlet murders Polonius, the father of his friend, Laertes, causing an avengeful domino effect. Hamlet has to face many obstacles, including his own indecisive mind, to take action for his father and the revenge obligations of Laertes and Polonius parallel the plot.…
- 583 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Before leaving, Hamlet went to talk with his mother. While talking to Gertrude, Hamlet stabbed Polonius thinking he was King Claudius. The death of Polonius was very hard for Ophelia to deal with and not too long after she died drowning in the river.…
- 577 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
However, a mutiny within the kingdom lead to the death of King Hamlet Sr, and his son takes on the duty of bringing the murderer to justice. By a senseless and uncontrolled act of anger. Hamlet slays Polonius. His friend Laertes returns from college as his foe in order to avenge his own father.…
- 492 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Ophelia is introduced to the audience as naïve young girl hopelessly submerged in affection for her beloved Hamlet, the son of the former king. She is the daughter of the current king’s most trust advisor, Polonius. Ophelia’s first plank of madness is laid with the departure of her brother for France. This early “loss” of a loved one is similar in many ways that Hamlet’s father is also gone. However both Laertes and Hamlet Sr. inevitably return.…
- 718 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, The King and The Queen discuss Hamlet’s behavior. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern tell that Hamlet have a passion on the players. Claudius decides to spy on Hamlet’s confrontation with Ophelia along with Polonius. Polonius asks Ophelia to walk on the lobby, and then Hamlet comes. Hamlet speaks with himself when he sees Ophelia coming. She tells him that she wants to return the tokens of love given to her. Hamlet denies it and tells Ophelia that he loved her once and never to have loved her at all. The King and Polonius think that Hamlet’s strange behavior has not been caused by his love for Ophelia. The King devides to send Hamlet to England. But Polonius still believes that Hamlet behavior is caused by his love. Polonius asks The King to send Hamlet to Gertrude’s chamber after the play and spy him again.…
- 420 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
There are a variety of factors that can contribute to one’s demise. In the context of the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare many possibilities can be identified that pertain to Ophelia’s sudden death. Ophelia’s death was triggered by her mental breakdown due to the loss of her father. In the midst of her inner turmoil, her depression worsens as she learns that Hamlet, the man she loves departs to England. When she dies, Gertrude reports her death to Claudius and Laertes. Gertrude, The Queen of Denmark, is responsible for Ophelia’s death. By looking at Gertrude’s over protective relationship with Hamlet, her lack of initiative on the situations around her in a time of tragedy, as well as her vivid account of Ophelia’s death, evidence that she is responsible for Ophelia’s death will be presented.…
- 1982 Words
- 8 Pages
Good Essays -
Her weak mindedness and cowardice eventually leads to her suicide; however, the cause of her of emotional weakness is due to forces beyond her control. Ophelia’s subjection to the loss of two loved ones at the same time allocates an overwhelming feeling of devastation that she is incapable of coping with due to her lack of mental strength. Claudius recognizes the intensity and overpowering nature of her suffering as he states that “when sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in batallions,” (IV, iv, 77). Ophelia’s immense losses include the Polonius’ murder, in addition to the Hamlet rejecting her feelings. The death of Polonius not only means the death of her dad additionally the one whom she derives all of her guidance from. The lack of support for Ophelia during this vulnerable period of her life further weakens her emotional stability; furthermore, Hamlet’s unusual conduct leaves Ophelia feeling more isolated and disliked. Hamlet illuminates his unorthodox demeanor to her by denying her mementos and by blatantly denies having ever loved her as states, “I loved you not” (III, i, 118). Denying the remembrances, he alludes to the…
- 899 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Ophelia’s relationship with Hamlet was one that was very hard to understand. She was in love with him and that complicated things. The character of Ophelia was the daughter of the King’s Advisor. She was not royalty or even remotely from a royal lineage. Hamlet, on the other hand, was a prince. He was the prince in line for the throne. Ophelia was in love with Hamlet and the only chance she had was to conspire with him and earn his trust. Hamlet discovered that his father had been murdered by his uncle. His uncle, Claudius, then became the king. Hamlet pretended to be crazy in order to expose his uncle. Ophelia found out that this was what was happening and went along with it in order to convince her father, Polonius, that Claudius had murdered the king. Polonius was, after all, the king’s advisor. Speaking of Hamlet, she says in Act 2 Scene 1, “He took me by the wrist, and held me hard” (1546). She knew, by telling her father that Hamlet had gone crazy and grabbed her, that he would relay it to the queen and her new king.…
- 978 Words
- 4 Pages
Better Essays -
Once Laertes discovers that his father has been killed, he assumes immediately that the killer must be Claudius. An effect of his speculation is his instinctive desire to retaliate against Polonius's murderer. He says, "To hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil! Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit! I dare damnation. To this point I stand, that both worlds I give to negligence, let come what comes. Only I'll be revenged most thoroughly for my father" (4.5. 128-134). This excerpt provides insight into his mind and shows his thirst for revenge at any cost. In contrast to Laertes’s belief of his father's killer, Hamlet assumes that the individual eavesdropping on the conversation he has with Gertrude is Claudius, and he says, "Nay, I know not: is it the King?" (3.4.28). Consequently, Hamlet is consumed with rage and automatically thrusts out with his sword in an attempt to kill Claudius but strikes Polonius instead. Hamlet's and Laertes's spontaneous actions are incited by fury and frustration. Sudden bursts of anger prompt both Laertes and Hamlet to act rashly, and they end up giving little thought to the consequences of their actions. But while both characters have the desire to avenge their father’s murders, only Laertes has any real resolve to take real…
- 890 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Ophelia goes insane and acts very childlike. Her way of coping with somthing is to Sing songs about flowers. The songs she sings in front of Laertes, Gertrude and Claudius are sorrowful reminders that the corrupt world has taken its toll on Poor Ophelia. Ophelias Pure innocence really shows in the play because shes not taking the news too well about how hamlet really is. In the beginning of the play Ophelia talks about Hamlet and Her brother Laertes warns Ophelia that Hamlet does not have the freedom to just marry whoever he wants, as Laertes walks out Ophelias dad Polonius comes in and he overheard the conversation and he adds in that he doesn’t want Ophelia talking to Hamlet because he fears that Hamlet is not earnest about her. Ophelia respects her dads feelings but when hamlet starts talking about her she catches feelings and forgets everything her dad and brother has told her. Not thinking with her head she falls…
- 587 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
After first finding out that his father was killed at the hands of his own brother, Hamlet says, “So, uncle, there you are; now to my word; / it is “Adieu, adieu! Remember me.”/ I have sworn’t” (1.5.110-112). He agrees to kill King Claudius out of loyalty, allowing his love for his father to outweigh the possible consequences for his actions. Choosing to seek revenge is a decision of passion that causes him to hurt the people around him. Hamlet’s need for retribution eventually overshadows everything else in his life, including his relationship with Ophelia, which is clear when he says, “Get thee to a nunnery” (3.1.49). He understand that his words are hurting her yet by this time he is too mad to care. After ending their relationship Hamlet increasingly falls victim to his emotions. This is evident when he says, “How now? A rat? Dead, for a ducat, dead!” (3.4.24). Overcome with his desire to murder Claudius, Hamlet acts thoughtlessly and thrusts his sword through the drapes without further inspection. This is a circumstances where Hamlet gets swept up in passion and does not take the time to rationalize his movements. In this case, his failure to do so results in the death of Polonius and sets off a chain of events that led to his own…
- 788 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The development of Ophelia's is another expression of rottenness in Denmark's royalty and society. Her death also is one that she herself inflicted through her drowning. Only after Ophelia's death does Hamlet express his affections towards her. When she was still alive Hamlet spouted vulgarities at her in various scenes in the play. This once again expresses how Hamlet prefers people postmortem, as demonstrated with Ophelia's death and Polonius's death.…
- 511 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Hamlet by William Shakespeare is a revenge tragedy play that primarily focuses on Hamlet’s quest to avenge his father’s death. The tragedy of Hamlet, while mostly revolving around Hamlet himself, also concerns the character of Ophelia, and Hamlet’s relationship with her throughout the play. Despite of her absence from all but five scenes, Ophelia manages to receive a considerable amount of attention, as her character becomes truly tragic with her realization that she is powerless politically, socially, and psychologically amongst the men in her life, and without them. As a woman with limited options in a patriarchal society, this realization drives her mad, ultimately resulting in her death.…
- 1399 Words
- 6 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Hamlet: "When our deep plots do palls; and that should learn us. There is a divinity that shapes our ends. Rough-hew them how we will-" (V, 2, 9-11)…
- 1117 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
“To be or not to be, that’s the question.” This is one of the world famous quotes from a remarkable literature piece Hamlet by William Shakespeare. How does this story and quote relate on one’s fate? Hamlet, a tragedy hero who revenged himself on his father’s murderer and throughout his vengeance and he reflected one’s weakness and strength humanity. After Hamlet father’s death, the queen married to Claudius who was Hamlet’s uncle and who now became his stepfather also he was the murderer of the king. The king’s ghost appeared to tell the story and how he got poison and killed by Claudius. In order to comfier the truth of Claudius was the murderer of his father, Hamlet decided to revenge and to kill Claudius. Hamlet pretended to act crazy and he didn’t care how other’s think about him, too much hatred caused he’s personality became revengeful, selfish and his uncertainty. In front of the people being so loyal to Claudius and Hamlet was planning to expose the unknown secret. His tragic fate and all his actions were controlled by his personality. Hamlet was with too much hatred, his individuality became revengeful, selfish also his uncertainty. There were the origins that caused Hamlet’s tragic destiny.…
- 781 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays