Preview

Why Is Poison Important In Hamlet

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
310 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Why Is Poison Important In Hamlet
The ignition to all of the fires in Denmark is poison. In the book Hamlet, poison is used as a metaphor and a motif. It was used to kill Hamlet’s father and then trickled its way to Hamlet’s heart after finding out about his father’s murder. A fire burned bright within Hamlet to seek revenge for his father, with doing so he swallows the poison from the Ghost and spewed it across those close around him because not only does Hamlet begin the demise of himself but he spreads it to those who cared for him. Gertrude, Laertes, Claudius die because of Claudius’ own actions of poisoning the previous king. He convinces Gertrude that their marriage is what is best for Denmark, lies to Hamlet saying to mourn is unmanly, then puts Laertes to test by attempting
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Claudius and Other Characters of Hamlet
    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Claudius and Other Characters of Hamlet

    Claudius is ambitious man that craves power and unlike other characters of the play he gets and maintains his power in a very immoral way. Claudius, because of his obsession to get the power of his brother, poisons him and this ignites the start of the revenge going to take place by Hamlet, “the serpent that did sting thy father’s life…

    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Theme Of Poison In Hamlet
    • 253 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Theme Of Poison In Hamlet

    When the ghost of king hamlet and young are alone, the ghost speaks. It claims to be the spirit of king hamlet, murdered by Claudius. Though the story is that king hamlet was napping in his garden and was stung by a serpent, in reality Claudius poured poison into the sleeping kings ear, murdering the king and sending him to purgatory since he was not given a opportunity to confess his sins before his death. This scene of deceit also correlated to and biblical story of adam and eve where the serpent enter the garden and corrupts them both. The ghost reveals truth. Also note that the way claudius murdered king hamlet, by pouring poison into king hamlet's ear, is actually a perfect metaphor for lying, for using language to hide reality. Poison is illustration of metaphors that Shakespeare commonly uses. It is mentioned a numerous amounts of times in referring to Claudius but it is also used when referring to Denmark's state, "Who this had seen, with tongue in venom steeped against Fortune's state would treason have pronounced”.…

    • 253 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Theme of hamlet
    • 850 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Theme of hamlet

    and Laertes differ, Laertes acts as a stable foil for Hamlet whom makes sound decisions and acts on his words instead of just speaking. Laertes allows us readers to explore how Hamlet should have acted instead of how he did: Inactive, in a state of delay, and full of words. The moment Laertes heard of his father's death he left for Denmark, rallied up some followers, and marched past the King's guards to the Royal Court and demanded an answer. "O thou vile King, give me my father," Laertes bellowed at the King. Claudius relays to Laertes that Hamlet is to blame and once again…

    • 850 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Laertes and Hamlet
    • 816 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Laertes and Hamlet

    In contrast to Laertes' speculation of his father's killer, Hamlet presumes the individual spying on his conversation with Gertrude is Claudius: "Nay, I know not: is it the King?"(III, iv, 28). Consequently, Hamlet, consumed with rage, automatically thrusts out attempting to kill Claudius, but instead strikes Polonius. Hamlets and Laertes' imprudent actions are incited by fury and frustration. Sudden anger prompts both Hamlet and Laertes to act spontaneously, giving little thought to the consequences of their actions.…

    • 816 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Grief for a Father's Death: Hamlet's vs. Laertes'
    • 1091 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Grief for a Father's Death: Hamlet's vs. Laertes'

    In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Laertes and Hamlet both lose a father by unnatural and sudden death. The unnatural death of the father is brought on by someone close to the son. When Laertes discovers that his father is dead, he is outraged. When Hamlet learns from the ghost of his father's murder, he weeps, and promises action, though he delivers none. Both Laertes and Hamlet grieve deeply for their fathers, but Laertes acts upon this grief while Hamlet carefully plots his revenge and waits for the perfect moment to avenge King Hamlet. Laertes' unplanned action causes his death by his own sword, while Hamlet's apparent inaction finally gets him the revenge that Laertes has attempted. Though Laertes' grief at his father's death causes his action, Hamlet's grief for his father has more power.…

    • 1091 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Foil Analysis
    • 890 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Hamlet Foil Analysis

    Laertes has high respect and love for his father Polonius, and Hamlet has great respect for his deceased father; he even compares him to a sun god "Hyperion". When their fathers a proclaimed to be dead, Hamlet and Laertes strive to achieve revenge on their murderers. They both exhibit authoritarian attitudes towards females. In the same way that Laertes provides Ophelia with guidance on her relationship to Hamlet, Hamlet himself manages to persuade Gertrude that he is not mad and manipulates her to follow his instructions. He gets his mother to convince Claudius of Hamlet's madness and is also able to make his mother reflect upon and feel guilt for her part in the old king's death: "Thou turn'st mine eyes into my very soul, and there I see such black and grained spots as will not leave their tinct." (3.4.90-93). Additionally, Hamlet instructs his mother not to sleep with Claudius. Their fathers, or stepfather in Hamlets case, both tried to use spies to obtain information on their sons. Claudius employs Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to get information on Hamlet, and Polonius sends Reynaldo to check up on Laertes. Although rivals, Hamlet, and Laertes share several similar characteristics which make them foils of each…

    • 890 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Gertrude And Hamlet Research Paper
    • 422 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Gertrude And Hamlet Research Paper

    Gertrude feels guilty because Laertes had to come home and deal with the pain of his father’s death. She doesn’t seem to know how to act around him.…

    • 422 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Hamlet Rhetorical Analysis
    • 1632 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Hamlet Rhetorical Analysis

    Throughout the course of the play, Claudius is manipulating the royal court and Hamlet. Immediately following his murder of the late king of Denmark, he cons the royal court into believing that the passing of the late king caused him much grief. However, Claudius exhibits no contrition for murdering the king because of “fruits” he had gained from it: “[his] crown, [his] own ambition, and [his queen]” (III.iii.59). He has no intention of handing over the “fruits” of his crime, that he is well past any chance of redemption. Claudius is unwilling to surrender everything he has gained from his crime because it was those ambitions that drove him to commit the murder in the first place. Claudius maintains his power by acting in favor of the people’s anticipations. Even after he had already wed Gertrude, Claudius confessed his sorrow for the late king and how he was overcoming his sorrowed heart to the royal court to be strong for the kingdom (I.ii.10-12). Claudius hastily shifts from the sadness over the late king and merriment of marriage to his future proposals and allegiance to Denmark (I.ii.17-38). In addition, Claudius also requests permission from Laertes father, Polonius, to authorize Laertes to go to France, as opposed to authorizing Laertes himself (I.ii.59-65). This generates favor from the people…

    • 1632 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Presem
    • 5216 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Hamlet Presem

    Act I Briefly summarize the key events in this act. In Act 1, we open with a dialogue between three men- Marcellus, Bernardo and Horatio. They are visited by a ghost, who is later verified by Horatio to in fact be the recently deceased King Hamlet. Next, we are introduced to Claudius, the new king since the death of King Hamlet, marrying into an incestuous relationship of King Hamlet’s past wife, Gertrude. He decides to keep Hamlet, our protagonist, in Denmark, not allowing him to leave the country due to his grief. In the next scene, we are introduced to Ophelia, Polonius and Laertes, the latter being shipped off to France and the father, Polonius, giving advice. The two also give advice to the daughter, Ophelia, as it is revealed that she has a relationship with Hamlet, the two warn her that this is an unwise decision. The final scene begins on the Castle platform, where King Hamlet reveals himself to his son Hamlet and Horatio. Hamlet follows his father and learns that his death was by murder, at the hands of Claudius. Hamlet is instructed to avenge his father, and he vows to do so.…

    • 5216 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ghost In Hamlet
    • 1324 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Ghost In Hamlet

    During her funeral procession Laertes and Hamlet react similarly when they both jump into her grave and declare their love for Ophelia (enotes). Afterward, Hamlet asks for forgiveness for killing Polonius and Laertes pretends to accept it. But Laertes still determined to avenge his father’s death agrees with Claudius to have a sword duel with Hamlet in which Laertes blade has been covered with a poison that will kill Hamlet with just a slight nick to the skin. Both men are nicked with the poisoned blade. As Laertes lies dying he has a moral enlightenment “Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet. Mine and my father's death come not upon thee, nor thine on me!” (5.2.337-339) and tells Hamlet of the deceit and plot that the king had created. At the same time the queen who has no idea of what Claudius had plotted drank from a poisoned challis that contained poison also meant for Hamlet. She falls down but warns Hamlet of the poison and then dies. Without hesitation Hamlet stabs the king and forces him to drink the poison. The revenge at this point seems bittersweet.…

    • 1324 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet and New Historicism
    • 795 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Hamlet and New Historicism

    William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, written between 1599 and 1602, is a tragedy that has become an iconic example of madness, paranoia, romance, blood thirst, and the supernatural. Hamlet sees his father’s ghost and discovers that his father, the former King of Denmark, was poisoned by his brother Claudius. As the plot unfolds, Hamlet appears to be crazed as his paranoia and suspicions overcome him. Claudius sends Hamlet away to England to be murdered when he suspects that Hamlet is on to him. Hamlet then escapes and returns back to Denmark where he fights with his now killed lover’s brother Laertes. As Hamlet is dying due to a wound from Laertes’s sword, he forces Claudius to drink poisoned wine. As in all Shakespeare’s tragedies, every main character is deceased by the end of the play.…

    • 795 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Examples Of Justice In Hamlet
    • 702 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Examples Of Justice In Hamlet

    One can also look upon the point of view from Laertes. He comes to Denmark to find his father murdered and sister dead. His father killed by Hamlet and his sister gone mad because of it, and so she kills herself by drowning. Laertes exclaims, "And so have I a noble father lost; A sister driven into desperate terms,- Whose worth, if praises may go back again, Stood challenger on mount…

    • 702 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Deception Of Secrets In Shakespeare's Hamlet
    • 1215 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Deception Of Secrets In Shakespeare's Hamlet

    She wanted to help Hamlet, but she could not stop herself from loving Claudius. Thus Gertrude was feeling guilty about her quick marriage to Claudius after her late Husband’s death, “I doubt it is no other but the main: His father's death, and our o'erhasty marriage" (II. ii. 56-57). She thought that her marriage was causing Hamlet's behavior, because it started after her hasty marriage to Claudius. Also she never told Hamlet about her love towards Claudius until they got married. She was right about the marriage being the cause of Hamlet's behavior, but this started after Hamlet heard these things from the ghost of his father, “If thou hast nature in thee bear it not; let not the royal bed of Denmark be a couch for luxury and damned incest" (I. v. 81-83). However, Gertrude only knew one of the causes for Hamlet's behavior; and she did not really see the big picture. She still felt guilty about her decision; the only thing was that she would not stop now. Seeing that she already did it, she only wants to help her son adjust to this truth now. But Claudius wants to help Hamlet get accustomed to his new…

    • 1215 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    How Is Hamlet Similar
    • 2235 Words
    • 9 Pages

    How Is Hamlet Similar

    His relationships with these people allow the audience to visualize his mental and emotional state and understand his actions. Once Hamlet found out that his father was murdered by Claudius, the good relationships he has starts to fall apart. Hamlet tries to find peace for his father’s death and he thinks avenging his death will help him. The first relationship that fell apart was with his mother Gertrude and it is demonstrated when he says “I will speak daggers to her but use none, my tongue and soul in this be hypocrites.” (3.2.???). This demonstrates Hamlet’s hatred for Gertrude. Hamlet was willing to go and hurt his own mother’s feelings, and in the play, Gertrude is seen as very fragile and vulnerable so he knew that his mother would not be able to bear his insults. Hamlet is so obsessed about getting revenge for his father’s death, he does not even realize that he is hurting other people. Also he does not let anything or anyone get in his way. This is shown when he says, “Why, man, they did make love to this employment. They are not near my conscience. Their defeat doe by their own insinuation grow.” (5.2.???). Hamlet lets his anger get the best of him. He was willing to kill is two best friends, just because they were working with Claudius. Hamlet has broken other relationships in the play as well such as his relationship with Ophelia and Laertes. He was trying to find the truth…

    • 2235 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet
    • 590 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Hamlet

    Throughout Hamlet, many characters develop showing their change of mind and emotions. Gertrude, the Queen of Denmark and Hamlet's mother, is an exception. Throughout the entire play she thinks only of herself. Even when she tries to think of or help others, her final decision revolves around her life and how the situation will affect her. Gertrude's selfishness is displayed in her marriage to Claudius, her forcing Hamlet to accept Claudius as his father, and her betrayal of Hamlet to Claudius after Hamlet sees his father's ghost.…

    • 590 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics