Imagery of Disease in Hamlet by William Shakespeare

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Imagery of Disease in Hamlet by William Shakespeare

The disease imagery in Hamlet serves to constantly remind the reader of the initial problem in

the play: King Hamlet's poisoning by his brother. After hearing his father graphically describe

the murder, it is constantly on Hamlet's mind. For this reason, many of the images that Hamlet

creates in the play are connected with disease and poison. The literal poisoning becomes

symbolic of the rest of the events of the play. Remember that poisoning through the ear can be

taken literally or figuratively (through speech and lies). Look at Polonius's conversation with

Ophelia about Hamlet, Claudius' lies to Laertes and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. There are

examples of decay imagery throughout the play. This is all shown in "Something is rotten in the

state of Denmark." These images of decay, disease, rankness, rot, and ulcers constantly pop

up in the play. The idea of an ulcer that is constantly infecing and eating the body is also

prevelant. Check out I.iv.23-38, II.ii.181, II.ii.250, II.ii.504. "The dram of eale doth all the

noble substance of a doubt to his own scandal" "That for some vicious mole of nature in them.

Rosencranz's "The cess of majesty..." Iv.iii "A certain convocation of politic worms..."

III.iv.144-9 "It will but skin a film the ulcerous place..." The images of disease all refer to the

rottenness of court or the sin of Claudius & Gertrude. Finally check out W.H. Clemen's "The

Development of Shakespeare's Imagery." It is a great resource. Hope that helped!

C. Watts ed., Hamlet, Harvester New Critical Introductions to Shakespeare (New York:

Harvester Wheatsheaf, 1988).

S. Wofford ed., Hamlet (Boston, Mass.: Bedford Books, 1994) with ac...

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circumstance and treachery against which they have struggled, and into which they have been

entangled. Hamlet himself cannot not rule. He, too, has become corrupted, not in mind, but in

history, by becoming the focus of the ancient revenger's dilemma. Not taking revenge will reduce

him and make him unfit for rule by his own standards... and taking revenge will do the same. Any

action is morally dubious. Though Hamlet still maintains our sympathy at the end of the play, he

has murdered five people and caused the suicide of one. But Hamlet can still decide Denmark's

future, by effectively appointing a successor. Thus, the corruption dies with him; all the inevitable

justice is carried out; and Hamlet's legacy remains. From a morally dubious situation, Hamlet is

able to wrest an honorable death, and the chance of stability for the future of his country.

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