How Does Gertrude Use Deception In Hamlet

Why does everyone seem to feel the need to cover themselves up? We all have unique qualities, but since it’s different from the stereotype, we lock it in box and throw the key away. Not everyone is supposed to be the same and that’s something that needs to be publicised more. In William Shakespeare's, Hamlet, the characters in the book also feel the need to change themselves to retrieve the acceptance of others. These characters also use deception, not only to gain the approval of others, but they use this tactic to gain or keep power. Throughout the play, the characters are faced with the social structure of a typical monarchy. Where there is a royal family, containing a king and queen. Then the others fall below. The characters that

The first three character’s intentions were to obtain more power. But just because the king has all the power he can possibly have, that doesn’t mean that he can’t deceive people. The very first sign of Claudius’ deceit is how he obtained his power. His brother, Hamlet was the king, and was married to Gertrude. Somehow, King Hamlet mysteriously died and Claudius was over eager to take his place, and his wife. His first act of deceit was on his own brother. He was asleep in the garden and Claudius poured poison into his ear causing him a slow and painful death. Although he never admitted it in front of other people, Hamlet knew he was at fault. Not only that, but expresses his guilt in an aside. “O, ’tis too true! How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience. The harlot’s cheek beautied with plast’ring art Is not more ugly to the thing that helps it Than is my deed to my most painted word. O heavy burden!” (3.1.55). Claudius also uses prayer in attempt to clear his guilty conscious. “My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. Words without thoughts never to heavens go.” (3.3.101). Another intention for deceit was for his own joy. In act four he gets Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to take Hamlet to England, which is also where he is supposed to be killed. “For like the hectic in my blood he rages, And thou must cure me. Till I know ‘tis done, Howe’er my haps, my joys will ne’er begin.” (4.4.75). Although Claudius also had other intentions to deceive, his main motive was to keep his power and not to let Hamlet take it from