Theme Of Betrayal In Hamlet

The play Hamlet by William Shakespeare ends in death and tragedy, brought on by the poor decisions the play’s characters made, and the actions that followed those decisions. Hamlet features betrayal and treachery, revealing the greed and willingness to complete corrupt acts that is present in the characters. In Hamlet, the large amount of continuous betrayal leads to the suffering of the play’s characters, and the suffering of all of Denmark. Uncles betraying their nephews, wives betraying their husbands, parents betraying their children, and brothers betraying brothers, this atmosphere of constant deceit, treachery and darkness result in many lives being lost, and some scarred forever.

The dark themes of the play are all a result of the

” (1.5.117-119), and this vow sets Hamlet and Denmark on a course of death and despair. When this betrayal is revealed, the theme of the play is starting to reveal itself, with the betrayal of Hamlet’s mother marrying his Uncle soon after his father’s death already being witnessed. Old Hamlet’s murder also reveals Claudius’s character, as a villainous person willing to kill his own brother for his personal gain. Hamlet’s character is also developed, by his vow to avenge his father’s death, he is shown as a very loyal son, who idolizes his father and despised his Uncle, and in some way his mother. The revelation of Old Hamlet’s murder, and Hamlet’s vow leads an attempt by Hamlet to kill Claudius, only to stop saying “Now might I do it pat...No.

Up, sword, and know thou a more horrid hent. When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage, Or in th ' incestuous pleasure of his bed… Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven, And that his soul may be as damned and black As hell, whereto it goes” (3.3.77-99), this reveals the level of Hamlet’s anger towards his Uncle, he not only wants to make him suffer by murdering him but by making sure he goes to hell. The betrayal that begins all other betrayals, Claudius’s murder of his brother reveals the play’s theme of betrayal and treachery as well as develops both his character, and

Following Hamlet’s bizarre behaviour (Hamlet is acting as if he has gone insane) and Hamlet killing Polonius, Claudius decides to send Hamlet to England, where he will have the English King execute him. Claudius is extremely disturbed following the play Hamlet had put on, depicting how he murdered Old Hamlet, showing Claudius that Hamlet is aware of his crime. After questioning Hamlet about Polonius’s murder Claudius is left alone with his thoughts, and he reveals his plans for Hamlet’s future saying “ And, England, if my love thou hold’st at aught… thou mayst not coldly set Our sovereign process, which imports at full, By letters congruing to that effect, The present death of Hamlet. Do it, England, For like the hectic in my blood he rages, And thou must cure me” (4.3.67-76). Another betrayal by Claudius, this shows even more of his character, his determination that nothing will stop him from getting what he wants, having his brother’s only child killed. Claudius is a greedy man, who appears to have low morals when someone is blocking his path to success. This new treachery adds on to the growing list of betrayal in the play, making it evident that the theme of Hamlet is betrayal and treachery. These new events also lead to a betrayal on Hamlet’s part, towards his childhood friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. On his way to England accompanied by his past allies, he uncovers