Betrayal in Hamlet How does betrayal or treachery help in developing the main character? What it reveals about the characters?
How does betrayal or treachery help in developing the main character? What it reveals about the characters? Use a theme. How betrayal was a theme and how if affected the main character?
William Shakespeare, one of the most influential writers in history, was renowned for masterfully elaborating themes of real life into his pieces of literature. In fact, his plays were able to transcend time, influencing the course of western literature because of their universal thematic. In one of Shakespeare's most acclaimed plays, Hamlet, the author dissects the common theme of betrayal. Although the play carries the name of its main protagonist, all characters play crucial roles in the development of the many layers of meaning of the intricate plot and the character of Hamlet himself. Four characters in particular play important roles in developing a predominant theme in Hamlet. From the beginning of the play to the end, Hamlet experiences a development of character through the betrayals of Gertrude, Ophelia, Rosencrantz and Gildernstern.
When the play opens, Hamlet's relationship with his mother was very close. Nonetheless, after his mother married his uncle only two months after his father's death, Hamlet suspected that she was involved in the plot to murder his father. Consequently, Hamlet's feeling and trust in his mother were greatly diminished. These incestuous actions by Hamlet's mother, the most important woman in his life, added the distrust of women to Hamlet's feelings. He mocked his mother, the "seeming virtuous queen", with phrases like "frailty, thy name is woman", and "such dexterity to incestuous sheets". His words not only illustrated his disgust, frustration and disappointment towards his mother and women in general, but also established Hamlet's sense of isolation. A young man such as Hamlet often puts his mother on a pillar and uses her as a comparison as to how all women are to behave. Gertrude's behaviour provided Hamlet with a false sense of security
William Shakespeare, one of the most influential writers in history, was renowned for masterfully elaborating themes of real life into his pieces of literature. In fact, his plays were able to transcend time, influencing the course of western literature because of their universal thematic. In one of Shakespeare's most acclaimed plays, Hamlet, the author dissects the common theme of betrayal. Although the play carries the name of its main protagonist, all characters play crucial roles in the development of the many layers of meaning of the intricate plot and the character of Hamlet himself. Four characters in particular play important roles in developing a predominant theme in Hamlet. From the beginning of the play to the end, Hamlet experiences a development of character through the betrayals of Gertrude, Ophelia, Rosencrantz and Gildernstern.
When the play opens, Hamlet's relationship with his mother was very close. Nonetheless, after his mother married his uncle only two months after his father's death, Hamlet suspected that she was involved in the plot to murder his father. Consequently, Hamlet's feeling and trust in his mother were greatly diminished. These incestuous actions by Hamlet's mother, the most important woman in his life, added the distrust of women to Hamlet's feelings. He mocked his mother, the "seeming virtuous queen", with phrases like "frailty, thy name is woman", and "such dexterity to incestuous sheets". His words not only illustrated his disgust, frustration and disappointment towards his mother and women in general, but also established Hamlet's sense of isolation. A young man such as Hamlet often puts his mother on a pillar and uses her as a comparison as to how all women are to behave. Gertrude's behaviour provided Hamlet with a false sense of security