Betrayal Of Hamlet Research Paper

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Hamlet’s Tragic Betrayal William Shakespeare, born sometime in April of 1564, is often regarded as one of the greatest playwrights and poets. Shakespeare helped reinvent the English language by inventing over 1,700 words. He would gain popularity through works such as Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Henry V, Macbeth, and Hamlet. Shakespeare’s popularity is not limited to the aforementioned works; however, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark will be of the primary focus. Hamlet is Shakespeare’s longest play and was written sometime between 1599 and 1601. The Tragedy of Hamlet can be characterized through the tragedy of betrayals; Shakespeare uses deceit and family affairs in order to exemplify such tragedies. The tragedy of betrayal is …show more content…

This declaration would reveal the cause of King Hamlet’s mysterious death to be at the hands of his own dear brother, Claudius. Claudius would go on to hide the entire vile act, and to add insult to injury, Claudius would marry his brother’s wife, Gertrude, in order to obtain the crown. This betrayal by Claudius goes on to show his deceitful and depraved nature. The Ghost’s diction, as seen in the quote, helps convey a double meaning. The use of the word “sleeping” can be interpreted in the literal sense of King Hamlet being asleep, whenever his brother stumbled across him; however, it can also be seen as Claudius murdering King Hamlet and thus taking possession of all his prized possessions, including his beloved Gertrude. Furthermore, The Ghost also adds, “Let not the royal bed of Denmark be / A couch for luxury and damned incest” in order to warn Hamlet against Claudius (I.v.82-83). The Ghost proclaims against the crown of Denmark being laid upon Claudius, who has shed the blood of his own brother and married his own brother’s wife. This demonstrates the evil act of betrayal by Claudius and the wicked act of marrying Gertrude shortly following King Hamlet’s

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