Abuse Of Power In Hamlet

Hamlet by William Shakespeare examines the issue of corruption and power as prophesied at the beginning of the play: “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” (I, iv, 98). Shakespeare demonstrates how the rot in the centre of Danish society ultimately leads to tragedy through the characters of Claudius, Polonius, and Hamlet.

Firstly, Claudius' avarice and obsession with power are the underlying causes of his murder of King Hamlet, manipulation, and lack of repentance. In the beginning of the play, he exhibits no remorse as seen by his remark about his brother: “Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s death, the memory be green, and that us befitted to bear our hearts in grief” (I, ii, 1-3). Claudius fools the court into believing he is

He instructs his son, Laertes, to always be truthful to him as well as to others, then orders his servant to spy on him and explains how lying will ultimately bring you to the truth: “Your bait of falsehood take this carp of truth” (II, i, 68). This is quite ironic since one would assume Polonius to be one of the most truthful characters, yet he is the most deceitful of them all. Additionally, he controls his daughter Ophelia and uses her as a pawn to win the favour of the King and Queen: “You do not understand yourself so clearly as it behooves my daughters, and your honour” (I, iii, 101-102). It demonstrates his selfishness in utilizing his daughter's relationship with Hamlet for his political maneuvers. On top of that, he lacks empathy and consideration for Hamlet's situation or state of mind: “Though this madness, yet there is method in ‘t” (II, ii, 215). Polonius reveals his narrow-mindedness due to his belief that Hamlet's madness connects to a larger scheme rather than a result of his situation. For that reason, Polonius is an arrogant, loudmouthed, and unpleasant individual who is not hesitant to take advantage of others around him for his

However, the deceit he encountered caused him to disregard his moral principles, which resulted in his downfall. Hamlet eventually falls into the darkness and becomes a murderer who harms everyone, including himself, as a result of his attempts at taking revenge on Claudius: "Let me be cruel, not unnatural; I will speak daggers to her, but use none" (III, ii, 377-378). Shakespeare explores how an innocent mournful prince turns into the very thing he detested the same way how virtue will become corrupted if grafted onto evil: “A villain kills my father, and for that I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven” (III, iii, 80-93). Many might contend that his actions are justifiable due to his situation, but murder is still immoral regardless of the reasoning. As a consequence, his corruption ultimately led to his madness and carelessness: “My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth” (IV, iv, 68). This line demonstrates his willingness to go against his moral principles to carry out his plan. Consequently, Hamlet is a complex character who attempted to overcome evil but ultimately failed because of his