Hamlet__Theme_of_Betrayal

Hamlet by the great William Shakespeare has a theme or betrayal through out the play. There has been frequent appearances of a translucent figure, witnessed by the guards who believe it is the recently deceased king of Denmark Hamlet. Prince Hamlet has recently returns from university to find his father dead and his mother remarried to King Hamlets brother, and all within 2 months. Not only does Hamlet feel betrayed by his mother but also feels her hasty action betrays the memory of his father. As Hamlet discovers that his father was not only murdered but it was his own uncle that the new King that poisoned him. This recent revelation was from the figure sighted by the castle guards. The Ghost of the old Kings last request to his son was he to be avenged. “The serpent that did sting thy father’s life Now wears his crown.” This metaphoric description links to the famous scene of Adam and Eves encounter with a serpent, where a slithering creature came between them parallels Claudius coming between King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude. Hamlet is unsure to believe this new information but it is too huge to ignore. After calming his emotions Hamlet a plan concocts to see if Claudius appears guilty. Claudius finally consummates his role as king and addresses the Danish court with a well prepared speech. At first impressions Claudius appears to be a proficient and confident public speaker but with closer analysis there are a number of contradictory incidents. “With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage” This revelation can be interpreted as a secret confession from Claudius. The connotation of mirth shows that in the same sentence as funeral would me he is happy about the death as he get to become the new ruler. Dirge, meaning the complete opposite of mirth would suggest he doesn’t love Gertrude and she was only a piece in his puzzle to accomplish his goal. The theme of betrayal becomes more defined as Hamlets friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, agree to spy on him and to report back to Claudius. This disloyalty is then continued and increased to a more sinister level and Polonius forces his daughter to finish her relationship Hamlet while he and Claudius observe the scene to try and understand Hamlets current state of lunacy. As Hamlet is only temporarily pretending to be insane he still has his wits about him. He notices Ophelia’s change in usual manner and becomes suspicious and realises she not acting upon her on will. “I have heard of your paintings too, well enough. God hath given you one face and you make yourself another.” Even though Ophelia is only being the dutiful daughter Hamlet still fells that this is a betrayal by her. Ophelia is merely a puppet on strings but does not have the courage to stand up to her power hungry father who has only put her up to this for his own benefits of being close with the head of state. Hamlets plan to catch Claudius out succeeded through means of a play performed by a group of actors staying at the castle. The play was a very accurate re-enactment of the ghosts story. Claudius’ reaction satisfies Hamlet that he did indeed murder kill his father. Later Hamlet discovers Claudius praying, “O, my offence is rank, it smells of heaven; It hath the primal eldest curse upon’t - A borther’s murder.” At this point the audience feels a certain level of sympathy for Claudius, after all he has gained he now is beginning to feel the guilt. Claudius’ monologue demonstrates how someone’s thoughts may be incongruous to how they act, when we realise that his thoughts contrast from his actions. As Hamlet swore revenge for his father he cannot cut down his enemy while he is in prayer. As Claudius is in connection with the heavens he would not be sent to purgatory if he were to die, therefore Hamlet decides to kill him in a more appropriate setting and situation so that his sole would be damn to burn in the eternal flames. The theme of betrayal is increased even further. Due to Gerturde, Claudius learns of Hamlets murder of Polonius and so uses this to his advantage. After realising he was the intended victim Claudius conspires to manipulate Laertes, Polonius’ son, to do hid dirty work. “Laertes, was your father dear to you' Or are you like the painting of a sorrow, A face without a heart.” The imagery of ‘painting’ recurs here and links to the theme of betrayal as like a painting its an imitation of life which is the same as the action of betrayal as it requires a certain amount of hypocrisy or being two-faced, acting in one manner then performing in an other. This also an inconspicuous part of treachery, as Claudius additionally betrays Gertrude. This shows that you can never really know someone as she thinks Claudius has Hamlets best interests at heart but clandestinely wants him dead. As the entire play is a huge cocktail of many different betrayals it ultimate’s in a final climax resulting in a vast number of changes. Earlier we find Claudius trying to strike a deal with the King of Norway to not go to war on the condition that Claudius allows them safe passage through Denmark. This is suspicious but pleased with the bargain he overlooks it feeling he had successfully negotiated the way his status should. However Fortinbras cunningly uses this diversion to sneak up an intended attack on the new King Claudius but then comes to find him already dead while a dying Hamlet elects him as the new bearer of the crow, “But I do prophesy th’election lights On Fortinbras. He has my dying voice.” After the betrayal of the treaty Forbinbras gets the throne in the end without having to resort to bloodshed by his own hand. Throughout Hamlet the theme of betrayal is repeated over and over again. This occurs between so many different people that it raises the questions can we ever truly know another person'