"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark"
The subject of sickness and corruption in Hamlet is very imminent. Sickness take the form of two types. One type is Hamlet, who pretends most often to be crazy when sane. Ophelia is the other. She becomes crazy, caused by the rejection of love. Sickness first comes about in the beginning of the play :
For this relief much thanks: 'tis bitter cold,
In this quote Francisco is explaining that there is corruption in Denmark by saying that he is 'sick at heart'.
When Hamlet is confronted with Ophelia is it argued that he may have in actuality been insane. Hamlet does not know that he is being watched. So maybe he is acting harsh to Ophelia for he knows that she will run to Polonius and tell him, or he might actually be acting mad/crazy.
Hamlet :That if you be honest and fair, your honesty should admit no discourse to your beauty.
Ophelia :Could beauty, my lord, have better commerce than with honesty?
Hamlet :Ay, truly; for the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than the force of honesty can translate beauty into his likeness: this was sometime a paradox, but now the time gives it proof. I did love you once. (Hamlet III, I)
Hamlet's view of women has changed, and that is why he attacks Ophelia's beauty and honesty some think.
Corruption take the form of four characters, Claudius, Gertrude, Polonius and Laertes. Claudius kills his brother for political reasons. Gertrude married Claudius because of mere lust. Polonius is a busy body and that gets himself killed. Laertes becomes revengeful from the death of his father and sister. The corruption would give the impression that the play is full of insane and corrupting people if it we
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