Hamlet
"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." As Hamlet progresses, Shakespeare reveals the true scope of this rottenness, which extends to almost every character in the play. The all pervasive rottenness present in Elsinore is portrayed by Shakespeare both through the actions of his characters and through the language and imagery used. Rottenness, as referred to by Horatio, refers to moral, social and political corruption. In the context of Hamlet, the word 'rotten' incorporates all of these meaning. The idea that 'something is rotten in the state of Denmark' is first presented in Act I as two issues; the murder of the late King Hamlet and the incestuous marriage of Claudius and Gertrude. In the following acts we learn that 'rotten' also refers to many other issues and characters, a rottenness often graphically portrayed by Shakespeare's use of imagery and themes. As with most of the characters in Hamlet, the word rotten applies to Claudius in many ways. His murder of the late king Hamlet and his subsequent marriage to Gertrude, actions that occur before the play begins, assert Claudius' rotten or evil character. Throughout the rest of the play, Claudius constantly affirms his evil character through his actions, thus
Polonius is first presents himself as somewhat of a gentleman. Hamlet compares Denmark to an "unweeded garden" possessed by "things rank and gross in nature. It seems that Polonius besmirches everything he touches; he even manages to use the true love of his daughter for personal gain. His plotting with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and Claudius are all motivated by his obsession with maintaining his position in court. The idea that 'something is rotten' is mostly presented through the actions and relationships of the characters. Claudius' corruption affects every character in the play. From Gertrude's apparent lack of sympathy for her husband's death, we can suppose that she has been having an affair with Claudius. This manifests itself in Hamlet through his actions. His advice to Laertes appears to be true and righteous, and we are led to believe the same is true of his character. Ophelia also exhibits rotten characteristics. Her 'rotten' action of self-slaughter was a result of the 'rottenness in the state of Denmark' on her own passive character. Hamlet refers to Claudius a weed that chokes the garden and warns Gertrude not to "spread the compost on the weeds, To make them ranker". Despite Hamlet's role as hero of the play, even he is subject to the corruption in the state of Denmark. Claudius easily influences Rosencrantz and Guildenstern who 'soak up the king's countenance, his rewards, his authorities'.
Common topics in this essay:
IV Scene,
Claudius Gertrude,
Iv Scene,
Rosencrantz Guildenstern,
Hamlet Ophelia,
Gertrude Leave,
Ophelia Gertrude's,
Guildenstern Claudius,
Elsinore Hamlet,
Denmark Hamlet,
rosencrantz guildenstern,
evil character,
iv scene,
idea 'something,
act iv,
act iv scene,
character play,
ghost hamlet's father,
characters play,
throughout rest,
king's countenance,
rest play,
'something rotten denmark',
throughout rest play,
idea 'something rotten,
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Acceptance Essays
