Preview

Theme Of Loyalty In Elizabethan Times

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
99 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Theme Of Loyalty In Elizabethan Times
I agree, the loyalty of the monarchy's subjects is absolutely critical, especially within Elizabethan times. In particular, when Claudius' convinces the court to accept his marriage with Gertrude, it demonstrates the need for loyalty in order for to solidify his new title as King of Denmark. As such, the loyalty of the court now aligned with King Claudius as opposed to Hamlet. Thus, as Claudius has the court's favour, it nullifies Hamlet's claim to the throne null. Ultimately, the power struggle between Claudius and Hamlet is not necessary the right to rule, but rather the loyalty of the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Now wears his crown” (1.5.46-47). Claudius’s brother was a great warrior that probably ruled with ideas of justice and moral balance but Claudius is a corrupt politician, he rules with manipulation and does not even feel guilt for catalyzing the fall from grace of so many characters. He schemes and manipulates other characters to get what he desires. When Claudius was certain that Hamlet knew of his lie about his brothers death he planned a match between Laertes and Hamlet in which Hamlet was not suppose to come out as the victor. Claudius will stop at nothing to maintain his power if he has he heart to murder his own brother, he will have the heart to murder anyone that blocks him from his goal. It is his own scheming that leads to his death, if power is gained by lies and manipulation more lies and manipulation must take place to maintain it and that life can only be held a secret for so long. The constant deaths, spying and confusion led many to become mad. His lack of guilt can be seen when he openly shows his affection for his wife in front of Hamlet and does it in a very obnoxious way. This affection for his wife is questionable because of his need for power. It is not certain whether or not Claudius actually has sincere feelings towards Gertrude or whether she is just another character playing a part in his lie, something that just came along with what he truly wanted, the crown. However even though his motives for marrying the queen are questionable, if he does not truly love Gertrude he covers it up well, showing once again his good use of manipulation. He openly shows affection and even declares his love in words, “The…

    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Intelligence is an important factor when being a king. In order for a king to keep his kingdom safe he has to plan ahead, and outwit his enemies. In order for Hamlet to plan ahead and outsmart Claudius, he has to use his intelligence. Hamlet uses his intelligence to through off his enemy by acting mad so he wouldn't notice his to plan to seek revenge. "Here, as before, never, so help you mercy,/How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself/As I perchance hereafter shall think meet/To put an antic disposition on,/That you, at such times seeing me, never shall..."(I.v.177-181). This quotation above shows Hamlet telling his friend Horatio that no matter how strange he may seem , don't mind it and don't say anything because it is all an act. Hamlet uses his intelligent to formulate a plot to act crazy and mess with everyone's mind, while secretly he is sane and is just planning his revenge out on Claudius.…

    • 1080 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    A council consisting of members of the all-powerful nobility chose a king. This choice had to be approved by representatives of the common people from the provinces throughout Denmark. The real power was the Council and kinds were only entrusted with the management of the state and the Royal Household. In fact, the King was actually crowned by the Councilors who all touched the crown as they said, “Your majesty, accept from us the Crown of this State…” [FN2] Laertes’ comments not only speak of a new political system, but also indicate that Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius [FN3] must have had the qualification that the Council want in order to win the election. Claudius first action of sending Cornelius and Voltemand to Norway clearly indicates some proficiency at foreign affairs, while his preparations for war show organizational skills and…

    • 799 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    American author, John Steinbeck once said “Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.” The theme of corruption is demonstrated in Hamlet by a series of events that lead to devastating decay. The “beginning of the end” is caused by Claudius, the present king of Denmark, Gertrude’s new spouse, and Hamlet’s uncle. Claudius is an intelligent antagonist whose Machiavellian plan of fratricide and his thirst for power drives Shakespeare’s tragedy. His powerful ability to manipulate brings Hamlet to insanity, but also brings short-term peace to the kingdom of Denmark. Critics argue that this trait would not leads to Claudius’ demise if it were not for Hamlet. However, Claudius’ own fear of his corruption being exposed destroys his facade of a capable king and ultimately leads his downfall.…

    • 1304 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Like most great writers, Shakespeare acquired his inspiration from the world that transpired around him. Cultural politics and social norms of the Elizabethan and Jacobean era are revealing too many readers through Shakespearean literature. In the play Hamlet, Shakespeare displayed precise concepts of the time period he was living in. The most evident concept shown in the play is the struggle for power between ruthless monarchs. This is most prominently noticed in the play when Claudius murders King Hamlet “I am still possess’d, Of those effects for which I did the murder My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen” (Hamlet 3.3 57-60). Claudius assassinates his King Brother out of an ambitious greed for the power of Denmark’s kingship. The…

    • 269 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The notion of family loyalty is displayed throughout the film as a driving force to override corruption, the workers on the waterfront can be considered a family as their struggle from corruption forces them to on each other for survival. The loyalty between the shore men’s families grips Edie as her Brother Joey’s murder increases her family loyalty to find his killer, but also Johnny Friendly’s power over the shoremen workers makes sure that their loyalty towards him is kept sacred so his corruption is not caught out.…

    • 659 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Consequently, Hamlets’ tragic flaw leads to his downfall. His lack of action causes him not to kill Claudius when he has the chance, giving him the advantage. It can be seen that Claudius has the advantage to kill Hamlet when he states, “By letters conjuring to that effect/The present death of Hamlet. Do it, England” (4.3.65-6). Since Hamlet reveals that he knows that Claudius killed the former king, Claudius is deceiving Hamlet into going to England, where he will be executed. Hamlet reveals his knowledge of the murder when he puts on the play, re-enacting the former King’s murder. Now Claudius knows that he must kill Hamlet in order to avoid getting caught and stay on the throne. Claudius tells Hamlet that he is sending him to England for…

    • 179 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    I deem Macbeth to be guiltier than Lady Macbeth. Factually, Macbeth is shown to be more sensitive than Lady Macbeth, because Lady Macbeth seems to be very inclined when proposing Macbeth to assassinate King Duncan; while Macbeth seems to be unsure and tensed about the idea. In addition, Macbeth’s reaction to assassinating King Duncan despite of his loyalty to him and his appreciation towards him for receiving so much honour from shows that he is sensitive to killing or causing any harm to people that he thinks are good people. In Act II Scene iii, when Macbeth returns home after assassinating King Duncan, he is shivering in an aggressive motion and stuttering while trying to talk to Lady Macbeth. Also, Macbeth’s expression is shocked and he…

    • 261 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In order to gain loyalty from others, you have to be trust worthy. In Romeo and Juliet, there is a line that says “You’re in love? Out. Out of love?”. (Shakespeare21) Romeo never said why he was so depressed until he talked to his cousin. His cousin gained Romeos’ trust and now they are loyal to each other. Another example is, “Trust affects a leader’s impact…”. (Horsager1) this shows how gaining trust allows you to do more with others because then they find you loyal. On the counter example, some people might say that respect gains loyalty because you need to respect each other. But if you’re not trust worthy then people will not be loyal to…

    • 118 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The tragedy Romeo and Juliet boasts a wide assortment of characters. Many of whom are often at odds with one another. Three characters in particular, Tybalt, Mercutio, and Benvolio, are three very different men, and are driven by impulses and their different characteristics. Tybalt is driven by his rage and craving for violence, Mercutio is driven by his friendship with Romeo, and Benvolio is often driven by his love for peace. But these men do share one common trait, loyalty. Tybalt, Mercutio, and Benvolio are loyal to their families and their friends without question and with great passion.…

    • 765 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    During this era when men and women get married they are expected to have children. They expect to have children because the children are expected to be the property of their parents and to give their parents all their respect. Also, not every family in the Elizabethan Era was wealthy, not all children had real toys. If you were a young girl who came from a less wealthy family you would have to play with a paper doll instead of a real doll. Boys during this time who came from a financially challenged family would usually make the toys they would want to play with instead of buying them. If you were a boy during this time and you could not find the right materials to build toys you would then go hunting or fishing.…

    • 287 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Life in Elizabethan Times

    • 505 Words
    • 3 Pages

    During the Elizabethan times there were many different types of food that were being discovered and also evolving. What you ate was based on your social class. If you were poor you ate the simple foods and when you were rich you ate luxury items. Feasts were held during these times to celebrate and to drink or eat as much as they could. The common foods that people ate were bread, meat, seafood, and fruit. All of these foods had different types of specifics about them. These people had to learn how to find the food, make the food, and eat the food. We now know they played an important role in the food world of today.…

    • 505 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    AUTHORITY has always been a principle part of society. All rulers have used authority as control over people and their lives. King Claudius feels so powerful and has abused his authority with no regrets. He wants hamlet to be jailed for the crime he has committed. This expression of anger and authority by the King would have a great effect on the Elizabethan audience. This would probably make the audience fearful of committing any crime. It would also make them respect their King more because they would not want to do anything to anger him.…

    • 672 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Hamlet Logs

    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages

    This is a reaction to what occurred in Scene 2 when Claudius and Hamlet actually talk to each other. Claudius opens the scene with a long monologue to the court and in it I get the sense that he is trying to behave as an appropriate new kings who had just came to the throne. But, he only has the throne because he married his brother’s widow, Gertrude. He says all the right things under the circumstances, but it is all still a bit off-putting to me. For example, when he says thank you for “going with this affair along” almost acknowledging the inappropriate mature of the situation.…

    • 921 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Hamlet

    • 2585 Words
    • 11 Pages

    A great number of lessons can be learned from Hamlet by Shakespeare. A very important lesson is that not everyone wants a leader, but every kingdom needs one. What is meant by this is that in a kingdom there will always be people who are not in favor of the person in charge. However, in a functioning kingdom a strong leader is of essence. The arrival of Fortinbras in Act 5 Scene 2 of Hamlet is clear evidence that Shakespeare was in hopes of a noble leader replacing Elizabeth. Shakespeare believed that corruption was swarming in the state of England, and a noble leader was needed to replace her.…

    • 2585 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays