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 …show more content…
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