Death as a Result of Hamlet's Actions in Hamlet by William Shakespeare

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Death as a Result of Hamlet's Actions in Hamlet by William Shakespeare

“Hamlet: Prince of Denmark” is a tragedy, it is a tragedy because most of the characters we come to know and love die. All of these deaths seem to stem from the actions of one man Polonius. It is true that Hamlets thirst for the blood of his stepfather, Claudius, comes from his father’s murder. We know in our minds that had Polonius not been present in the play or his personality different, certain characters would still die. Not so many would have died had it not been for his actions.

Polonius was an old fashioned, high class, high-ranking gentleman. In his mind all he did was right. He never really wanted to hurt anybody; he just wanted what was best for his family and the throne. It just so happens that his means to the ends were a little out of whack. Polonius mean well he was just a little dim-witted for the times.

He was proud of his son, Laertes, and controlling over his daughter, Ophelia. Ophelia was told what to do and what to think by her father. According to Polonius she did not know how to make her own decisions and so he would decide for her. First he decided that she should not see Hamlet because they could never be together.

After all of this Polonius figures out he could help the king spy on Hamlet by forcing Ophelia to him. This created some awkward and frightening moments in the play, some of which certain murderers would come to regret. It is these kinds of activities for the king that led to Polonius’ death and ultimately many others.

While spying on Hamlet and the queen Polonius is detected and consequently killed by Hamlet. Hamlet believed him to be Claudius for he should be the only other person to step foot in that room. For his actions Hamlet was declared mad and sent to England. This whole situation did not bode well for Polonius’ family.

Ophelia, learning that the man she loved had killed her father, went mad. Polonius was her decision maker and Hamlet the love of her life, so of course she was devastated. She dealt with it by killing herself, a death that could have been avoided under different circumstances.

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