Betrayal In Hamlet

Revenge is its own character. It provokes an individual to make irrational decisions with the support of betrayal. As one is focused on taking revenge, betrayal often goes unnoticed. By a simple act of revenge, Hamlet is led to betray his own feelings, trust and his close friends. When taking revenge, the state of thoughts and emotions are restricted due to judgment. In this case, people must understand that betrayal is impossible for one to avoid and without it, revenge will never be achieved.

Due to Hamlet’s ambition to take revenge for his father, he betrays his own feelings. He puts it aside to follow the pathway he builds for himself. To the woman he loves the most, Ophelia, he confesses to her “You should not have believed me, for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I love you not.” (2.1.117-119)

When the ghost of Hamlet’s father appears, Hamlet accepts his task to kill King Claudius with specific restrictions. The ghost clearly gave instructions to Hamlet that he must not get Gertrude involved with the plan. Hamlet first breaks the trust when he isn’t able to kill off King Claudius when he was given the perfect opportunity to. “Now might I do it pat. Now he is a-praying. And now I’ll do ‘t. And so he goes to heaven. And so am I revenged.- That would be scanned.” (3.3.74-76) Hamlet becomes hesitant to kill Claudius when he sees him “praying”. As the plan follows, Gertrude was slowly getting involved due to Hamlet’s impulsive actions. He constantly drags Gertrude into the plan without realizing it. Hamlet is reminded by the ghost, “Do not forget. This visitation Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose. But look, amazement on thy mother sits. O, step between her and her fighting soul.” (3.4.111-114) Hamlet has broken the trust the ghost had of him. When Hamlet reaches the climax of his revenge, he obliterates everything, including his